Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2004
130 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department is responsible for maintaining a website (details supplied); the frequency with which it is updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe website referred to by the Deputy is managed by the national information agency, Comhairle, which comes under the aegis of my Department. The overall aim of the OASIS website is to provide simple, clear, straight-forward information on all public services that is focused on the needs of people living in Ireland. In that regard, OASIS represents a new approach to the presentation and delivery of public service information over the Internet through the structuring of information around key life events such as the birth of a child, education, housing, employment, retirement and death.
The OASIS website which was first established in 2001 integrates information on services from a range of Departments and agencies and presents it using its life events approach. Comprehensive information for each life event is available in one place regardless of the number of State organisations involved in providing the relevant services.
In addition to information, citizens can download forms such as application forms for passports and driving licences.
Ensuring that the OASIS content remains accurate and relevant is a challenging task given the range and diversity of public services, service providers, rights and entitlements and the complexity of legislation underpinning entitlements. Site content is managed on a daily basis and every effort is made to ensure that the website content is kept accurate, relevant and accessible.
A range of systematic procedures are in place to facilitate this including partnership with a number of key Departments to maintain content. Information on the site comes from a variety of sources, including Departments, statutory agencies, in-house information staff and commissioned authors. In addition, Comhairle invites feedback from OASIS users in the form of comments, suggestions, ideas and content updates.
The OASIS website experienced significant traffic growth in 2003 with almost one million users, which represented an increase of 86% over the previous year. Early indications for the first half of 2004 suggest that usage has increased further and is likely to exceed the 2003 level.
