Public Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Questions (247)

Verona Murphy

Question:

247. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the measures his Department is taking to prevent digital exclusion in the context of the delivery of public services; the steps his Department has taken to give effect to the recommendations in the Citizen Information Board’s report on digital exclusion and eGovernment in Ireland; if there are any grant schemes paid from public funds that are only accessible to online applicants; his views on any such schemes in the context of combatting digital exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21615/23]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I would like to thank the Deputy for this timely question. Officials in my Department are currently finalising a roadmap for digital inclusion which Government plans to publish this summer.

Government is conscious that, in an increasingly digital society, those who are unable to avail of digital opportunities for whatever reason, risk being excluded from society. Accordingly, the roadmap will set out how Government will meet its commitment to leaving no one behind as set out in the Programme for Government and the national digital strategy.

While much work is already progressing across Government to achieve digital inclusion, the Office of Government Chief Information Officer in my Department is working with other key stakeholder departments on the roadmap which will bring this work together in a focussed manner. The report from the Citizens Information Board was one of a number of reports which have been very helpful in its development. In addition, my officials have engaged directly with a range of representative groups.

I look forward to discussing the roadmap when it is published.