Vol. 484 No. 3
92 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach the current progress on the implications and potential of the information society; his views on the likely development over the next five years; and the support given to agencies dealing with the public to help develop this information society. [22071/97]
The Deputy will be aware that my responsibility in this area relates to the Information Society Commission established earlier this year on foot of a recommendation contained in the report of the Information Society Ireland steering committee.
The commission has been asked to benchmark progress towards achieving the full potential of the information society and to recommend changes in legislation to remove obstacles on the use of information and communication technologies. It will also advise on measures to increase access to information technology, particularly measures in the education area aimed at those groups in society who experience disadvantage. The commission will also monitor the development of the necessary infrastructure into the new millennium.
It is finalising an interim report which will be published shortly.
With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, support will be provided to State agencies to allow them to meet the objectives of the information society. The SMI Working Group on Information Technology is finalising its recommendations on the implications of the information society for Government Departments and offices. The areas identified by the SMI Working Group on Information Technology regarding the potential for service delivery in a number of areas include: greater use of web sites by Departments and Offices; access to public procurement information electronically; and use of electronic media to process actual business.
