Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
675. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department or agencies under the authority of her Department have performed an assessment of the potential savings to be accrued, if current paper-based application processes by members of the public were replaced with a fully online application system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30138/15]
View answerThere has been no overall assessment of the potential savings that could arise from the digitisation of application processes. However it is my Department's aim to increase the range of services available online 24/7 to its customers. Examples of such online systems, include the online Claims System (OLCS) used by almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools to submit details of school employee absences, along with claims for the payment of substitute and casual appointees. Approx. 2.4m transactions are processed annually through the OLCS, updating the school employee HR and payroll systems. This application is critical to the efficient processing of salary claims for substitute and casual appointees.
Post Primary Online Data (PPOD) used by post-primary schools to submit pupil data. This data is critical to a number of business processes in the Department and the State Examinations Commission (SEC), including the payment of capitation grants, allocation of staffing resources, statistical returns and State examination processes.
Primary Online Data (POD), currently being rolled out across the primary sector. This system will facilitate primary schools submitting pupil data. This data is critical to a number of business processes in the Department including the payment of capitation grants, allocation of staffing resources and statistical returns.
Summer Works Scheme (SWS) used by schools to submit and track applications for funding under the Summer Works Scheme. This system also has a facility for schools to upload photographs, architect/engineer reports etc. Schools are advised of the outcome of their applications online. In addition, offers of grants are made and have to be accepted online.
With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the information sought is a matter for each agency and is not collated centrally. For the Deputy's information details of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/.
