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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 4

Written Answers. - Information Society.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

141 Mr. McGuinness asked the Taoiseach if the Government will consider a pro-active policy across all Government Departments insisting on the implementation of e-government within a specified time frame; if each Department will be requested to set out a series of incentives for those end users who will conduct their business with Government Departments by way of technology, such as earlier payments of benefits or pensions and discount for tax returns; and if the Government will consider the appointment of an official working group to oversee the implementation of such a policy. [10166/00]

The blueprint for the implementation of the information society is the Government action plan, Implementing the Information Society in Ireland, published last year. As the Deputy may be aware, the action plan sets out our objectives for the implementation of the information society, including the implementation of Government. It adopts a three stranded approach: strand 1 deals with information provision on-line. Strand 2 focuses on interactive public service provision. This area of the action plan sets out areas where Government-public services are being-will be delivered on-line. For the business community, the following services are already being provided: Land Registry external access service; and FÁS-on-line service.

This year further services, including a revenue on-line service will come on stream. Further information on services available, or soon to be available, can be obtained at the following web address.

An implementation group of Assistant Secretaries General and a policy development team, based in my Department, have been put in place to progress the implementation of the agenda set out in the action plan. Further information on the action plan and on progress can be obtained on my Department's website at www.irlgov.iétaoiseach/eIreland/intro.htm. The latest report on progress implementing the action plan is nearing completion, it should also be available on the website in mid-April.

The importance of delivery of on-line services continues to be promoted. The implementation group and the policy development team have been encouraging Departments to come forward with initiatives for electronic public service delivery. In order to encourage and facilitate this, a dedicated information society fund – this year amounting to £30 million – has also been put in place to assist Departments in progressing action plan initiatives. A fast track evaluation mechanism has also been put in place to consider applications to the ISF. To date about £13 million of the £30 million available for 2000 has been allocated. Most Departments have come forward with initiatives, pilot projects and plans, others are in the process of doing so. I fully support the objective of delivering public services on-line.
Strand 3 of the action plan deals with the provision of on-line fully integrated services. By facilitating fully integrated delivery of public services, we will make Government services more accessible and easier to use. It will also deliver new efficiencies in service delivery. The action plan sets out the delivery of such integrated services as the ultimate objective. A report on this will be considered by Government shortly. Once approved, it will be published on my Department's website.
The Government will also consider the issue of time frames and requesting each Department to set out the services it can deliver in this context. It will be pressing for the maximum electronic service provision as soon as possible, consistent with the overall agenda objectives. In this context, the strategic management initiative implementation group will shortly make proposals to Government on an integrated public service strategy which will involve each Department developing a strategy in the light of its own business environment and requirements. This proactive approach will add further momentum to the development of electronic government.
As for incentives, it is not currently envisaged that discounts or incentives of this nature would be offered for use of services or to do business on-line as it is anticipated that the on-line service delivery mode will sell itself through its ease of use and convenience and the efficiencies and time saving benefits which will accrue to the users. However, in progressing the development of the model for the fully integrated delivery of public services, consideration will be given to the question of what, if any, further incentives might be appropriate.
Given that the role of the implementation group is to oversee the implementation of the action plan, including the integrated public service delivery agenda aspects, it is overseeing implementation.
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