David Stanton
Question:50 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress regarding the electronic broker initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7178/03]
Written Answers - Electronic Broker Initiative.
In 1999 the Reach agency was established to develop a strategy for the integration of public services and the implementation of electronic government in Ireland. It has been mandated to progress the electronic broker or public services broker's initiative that will create a single point of access to public services. This, when implemented, will allow customers to gain easier access to a range of public services and information about services by means of the Internet, telephone and personal contact.
There are significant technical and organisational issues involved in the establishment of the public services broker. At present the agency is looking for a suitable partner to build and implement the broker and to identify the key elements to be progressed in 2003 having regard to the technical and financial considerations involved. I am confident that substantial progress on the implementation of the broker will be made before the end of this year.
In the meantime, a number of particular initiatives have been progressed by the Reach agency. In April 2002, an online service Reachservices.ie was launched in association with the Department's customer identity services and the Local Government and Computer Services Board. Reach has also concluded a programme of work leading to the implementation of an inter-agency messaging system which will facilitate secure messaging between agencies such the General Registrar's Office, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Central Statistics Office.
Question No. 51 answered with Question No. 25.