Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
290. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what provisions his Department is obliged to make to ensure Government services, such as the Revenue Commissioners, are accessible to the digitally disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for raising this important matter. I recognise that in an increasingly digital society there are those who are unable to avail of digital opportunities for whatever reason. That is why In August 2023, my Department, following collaboration with a number of Departments and external representative organisations, published Digital for Good: Ireland's Digital Inclusion Roadmap. The Roadmap addresses the digital inclusion aims set out in the national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital. A key focus is to coordinate and integrate our efforts to delivering the United Nations guiding principle of “Leave No One Behind”.
The Roadmap also reflects the ask to public service bodies in the Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy – Better Public Services, to identify and prioritise actions that support digital inclusion to make sure no one is left behind.
Public service bodies will use digital to improve the off-line experience for those who are unable to consume services digitally. By enabling those who can use digital services to so do, we can redirect resources in a range of ways to provide a better service to those who may need assistance, for example through our public offices and libraries.
