Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
23. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the status of his plans to fully digitalise key public services by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11084/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Public Services 2030 is the transformation strategy for the civil and public services and provides the overarching framework for my Department’s public service reform and digitalisation focus in the years ahead. This includes setting digitalisation and data policy for modernised service delivery and providing key features of the digital public service infrastructure that are relevant to the integrated and digital delivery of public services, driving the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, and ensuring digital inclusion.
In November 2025, I launched the Digital Public Services Plan 2030, which sets out Ireland’s roadmap to fully digitalise key public services by 2030, ensuring that 100% of these services are available online and 90% of applicable services are accessed digitally. Aligned with this Plan, my Department is delivering critical features of the digital public service infrastructure to improve the quality, consistency and interoperability of digital systems underpinning key public services.
The Plan identifies 189 key services across 17 life events, with phased redesign and integration scheduled in three waves: by Q4 2026, Q4 2027, and Q4 2028. To support delivery, we are rolling out enabling infrastructure including the Government Digital Wallet, Life Events Portal, and reusable digital building blocks.
Regarding implementation of the Plan, key service providers will retain responsibility for delivery against national and EU targets within their own service offering. Departments and PSBs will have responsibility for the digitalisation and integration of their services with associated life events in order to achieve EU and national targets, and for reporting of information to support monitoring and evaluation.
Life Event Lead organisations will coordinate efforts in relation to each Life Event and convene and chair the Life Event group meetings to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and co-design of integrated services, and agree the harmonised programme of work to be undertaken by those within that Life Event to accelerate delivery.
We are also providing targeted supports through the Public Service Digital Transformation Fund, service design capability, and supports for AI adoption. Governance is overseen by the Public Service Leadership Board and Strategic Working Group for Pillar 1 of the Better Public Services Strategy, with nominated departments leading Life Event Working Groups. Monitoring and evaluation will be conducted biannually to track and report progress against these targets.
