Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
439. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the Govtech Delivery Board, first suggested in 2019 in the National AI strategy, as such a board was identified as a key supporter of good practice in the public sector deployment of new technologies. [16424/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that, following discussions between my officials and those of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, which was established by the previous Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation and created to support the government in driving the digitalisation of enterprise across Ireland, will act in an advisory capacity in relation GovTech development in addition to its existing work. The Forum’s work will now include advising on the actions in the GovTech Priority Action Plan which include:
1. Government should seek to facilitate the re-use of Government Assets where lawful and feasible.
2. Government should review the Government business development funding frameworks to identify any gaps or opportunities for further cohesion, with a view to reviewing how the model can be better communicated to, and understood by, its target audience.
3. Government should develop a more cohesive life-long digital talent development model covering all life stages, from pre-school age to retirement and all levels of competence from service user, to systems developer and systems architect.
4. Government should seek to develop procurement solutions, which fully comply with EU legislation, to enable easier access for new market entrants to conduct business with Government.
5. Government should drive GovTech by being an exemplar in the delivery of digital services, the continuous development of employee skills and the adoption of innovation.
6. Government should actively engage with all sectors of society to ensure GovTech is fully inclusive and addresses the main societal obstacles to digital participation.
7. Government should create an appropriate GovTech Governance structure.
8. Government should create a GovTech branding model, which will be available to all contributors.
