Ministers McGrath and Smyth launch digital and ICT Connecting Government 2030 strategy

Digital by Default and Cloud-first - All-of-Government Approach
New Ways of Working - Privacy Driven and Secure by Design

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, and the Minster of State for eGovernment, Ossian Smyth, today, (Wednesday 2 March), launched Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service.

Connecting Government 2030 addresses the digitalisation of public services dimension of the new national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework. It also aligns with the targets set out in Civil Service Renewal 2030.

For individuals, Connecting Government 2030 aims to provide:

better access to trusted, high quality digital government services
services that are delivered in an equitable, inclusive and sustainable manner with better service to those who need assistance
secure and transparent reuse of personal data; and
opportunities to co-create government services, rather than relying on the assumptions of government

For businesses:

better access to integrated digital government services
reduced administrative overhead
GovTech opportunities; and
greater openness and engagement with government

A key focus of Connecting Government 2030 is on delivering public services taking a digital by default approach through collaboration with stakeholders and the public, building towards 90% online uptake of key public services in line with the targets set by the EU’s Digital Decade.

Speaking at the launch, Minister McGrath said:

“I am delighted today to be publishing this new Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service. We have seen a great improvement in the provision of online public services over recent years. But we must build on those strong foundations and accelerate how we progress into the future. Connecting Government 2030 provides us with a framework to do this and to create world-leading digital government services while at the same time improving the off-line experience for those who are unable to access services digitally.

“The ambitions set out in Connecting Government 2030 also reflect my overall strategy of reform and innovation which my department is pursuing. My aim with this strategy is to provide better public services for individuals and businesses. The strategy also builds towards the reform targets set out in Civil Service Renewal 2030 and fulfils commitments in the Programme for Government.”

Connecting Government 2030 notes that digitalisation by itself is not enough. What is required is digital transformation of government: redesigning and rebuilding government processes and services including across organisations, if necessary.

Minister of State Smyth said:

“In government, we must continuously examine how our public services are delivered and how digital technologies and data can assist in that delivery. This new strategy, Connecting Government 2030, guides us towards achieving this ambition.

“Successful digital transformation will ensure digital channels are the preferred way for people to access public services. We must continue to make services as seamless, user-friendly and accessible as possible. Digital transformation is not a project - it must be central to government policy-making and culture.”

Recognising that digitalisation contributes to broader socio-economic development, Connecting Government 2030 will also drive the wider GovTech priorities. A key element of the strategy will be to give all stakeholders a voice in identifying priorities and to co-create digital government services.

Implementing Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service will take an all-of-government effort to deliver its ambitious outcomes. It will be overseen by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, based in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Notes

Connecting Government 2030 specifically replaces the previous Public Service ICT and eGovernment strategies and will also act as an umbrella strategy for actions across a number of other related government policies and strategies to ensure an overall coordinated and integrated approach to their delivery.

The outcomes Connecting Government 2030 sets out to achieve are to:

enable every person and business to access trusted, high quality digital government services
use government digital services to drive an expansive programme of growth, reform and transformation - people, processes, customers, locations and data
give all our stakeholders a voice to help us co-create a new inclusive digital government future for Ireland
deliver our services using an efficient, secure, privacy-driven and sustainable platform
inspire others to develop their skills and join the team across the Public Service, to deliver quality digital government services for all
use digitally acquired intelligence and the innovative potential of technology to be more informed and astute in our planning and implementation of public services; and
position Ireland as a respected contributor to and influencer of digital policies and strategies at the EU, UN and other such bodies, and as an exemplar in their delivery

The strategy calls out six priority action areas which are:

1. A Human-Driven Digital Experience;

2. Harnessing Data Effectively;

3. Government as a Platform;

4. Evolving Through Innovation;

5. Strengthening Digital Skills; and,

6. Focusing on Governance and Leadership

The design principles are:

Digital by Default and Cloud-First
All-of-Government Approach
New Ways of Working; and
Privacy-Driven and Secure by Design

Implementing Connecting Government 2030 will help to achieve the targets set in the national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework

“Through a trusted, user-driven, intuitive, inclusive and efficient world-leading digital government service, 90% of applicable services will be consumed online by 2030
80% of eligible citizens using MyGovID by 2030”

Previous Strategy - Public Service ICT Strategy

National Strategy - Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework