Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
89. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the initiatives he plans to promote better planning to promote a longer and more fruitful retirement, across all of government, harnessing technology, promoting optimal choices of accommodation and adapting existing services to the new requirements. [15266/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s mission is to drive the delivery of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for all the people of Ireland. In pursuing this mission and in implementing relevant commitments in the Programme for Government, my Department has sought to continually improve government services for all service users, including those referenced by the Deputy.
This includes in particular Better Public Services, the Government’s public service transformation strategy, which was launched last year. Under this strategy, my Department requests all public bodies to identify and prioritise organisational actions aimed at putting the service user first when developing seamless and inclusive services for the public. In addition, the Government’s Action Plan for the Design of Better Public Services aims to ensure public bodies adopt a more user centred approach when designing and redesigning public services. This approach utilises proven methods, such as design thinking, to engage both service users and delivery teams to develop public services that are accessible, effective and value for money and it is my Department’s aim to embed these approaches in the Irish Public Service through this action plan.
My Department is also coordinating the development of a Digital Government ‘Life Events’ Service. This builds on existing supports and services to assist people accessing government services in a seamless manner at times when they are going through experiences that cause substantial change and readjustment.
Ensuring particular groups in our society are not left behind as we accelerate our digital transition is vital. This requires a focus on ensuring basic digital skills, widespread infrastructure for connectivity and access, and relative affordability of connectivity and devices. Furthermore, this requires us to prioritise a user-focused service design approach to implementing digital public services, including enabling assisted digital services where appropriate.
Consequently, I also introduced Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap, Digital for Good. The Roadmap seeks to make Ireland one of the most digitally inclusive States in the EU and give everyone the opportunity to use digital services, including digital public services, in a meaningful way. This includes people at all stages of life, including retirement. We are making digital inclusion a core part of designing and delivering quality digital public services, and by doing so, are encouraging those who can to choose to use digital public services. This approach is of benefit for everyone as it will allow government bodies to free up resources to assist those who may not be in a position to avail fully of digital services.
More generally, the Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life course, as well as to ensuring that older people can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This commitment is enshrined in the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provides a blueprint for promoting older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural and community life and for fostering inter-generational solidarity.
Due to the nature of its role, my Department does not directly provide services to the public, including those who have retired or are planning to do so. Therefore, Questions about specific aspects of service delivery should be directed to the relevant Ministers. Finally, I would add that my Department does play a role in facilitating a pre-retirement programme for civil servants that are planning to retire.
