The Irish Government should look beyond putting services online and rethink its overall IT strategy, according to a critical official report. The country's Information Society Commission has called for a "reorientation" of Ireland's e-government programme, urging the Government to pay more attention to how IT could improve public sector performance.
"e-Government is not about business as usual," says the body appointed by the Taoiseach (Prime Minister). "The e-government process must be closely aligned with overall public reform – on the use of IT combined with organisational change and new skills to improve public services, democratic processes and public policies."
The November 2003 report urges the Government to prioritise services that will "bring about the greatest impact" such as company annual returns, planning applications and passports.
As with the UK's new approach, the commission suggests that the Government should create common IT systems across public sector agencies.
"A stronger focus is needed on bringing about appropriate collaboration across traditional lines of agency responsibility."
e-Government – more than an automation of Government Services is the latest in a series of critical reports by the ISC. Earlier this year it highlighted delays with the Ireland's main e-government project -- the public services broker – warning that it was jeopardising the overall programme.
The broker, which would act as a secure hub for electronic transactions, was due to be ready at the beginning of 2002 but was held back amid concerns over how to handle personal data.
A contract for the broker is now due to be awarded by the end of November.
Quelle: Kablenet, 07.11.2003
