Progress Implementing the Information Society - Second Report of the Inter-Departmental Implementation Group, July 1999

Introduction

1. The First Report of the Inter-Departmental Implementation Group on the Information Society was considered by Government on 21 December, 1998. Following this, "Implementing the Information Society in Ireland: an Action Plan" was launched by the Taoiseach in January 1999, in booklet format and on the world wide web. Since then almost 2,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed, within and beyond the public sector.

2. The Action Plan has been well received generally, and is a credible blueprint for the task of implementing the Information Society in Ireland. It identifies the main tasks involved in facilitating electronic commerce, opening up access to the new technologies for the less privileged, and modernising delivery of public services through those new technologies. It also sets out an ambitious time frame for those tasks and measures.

3.At the time of adoption of the Action Plan, the Government directed the Inter-Departmental Implementation Group to assess the resources needed to implement the plan. This has been the primary focus of the Group over recent months.

4. This report provides a review of progress since the Action Plan was launched. It also includes details of further initiatives arising from the Action Plan which are now being proposed.

Conclusions/Recommendations.

5. The review of progress to date plus the assessment of resource requirements confirm that substantial additional staff and funding resources need to be made available immediately if rapid progress is to be made and the objectives of the Action Plan met. Furthermore, there is a need for an assured ongoing source of funding and/or staff resources as new initiatives are identified. In addition to staff and funding resources, it is recognised that special measures will be needed to attract and retain personnel with the necessary IT skills.

6. In certain cases EU Community Support Framework funding may be available for initiatives, often on a matching funding basis.Where this is the case, the existence of a source of funding at national level should assist in attracting EU funds.

7. The resources needed to implement the Plan are very substantial but not indefinite. In most cases an intense period of up to three years is envisaged.

8. Finally, it is necessary to accept that the Action Plan itself will require modification and elaboration in the light of experience and as new opportunities emerge and technologies change. It is especially important that the potential offered by the new ICTs be appreciated by senior management across the public service.To that end the Department of the Taoiseach and CMOD are continuing to engage in bilateral meetings with key Departments to explore the scope for further initiatives/ action points which are in keeping with the overall objectives and vision of the Plan.

•  InfoSocietyProgressReport2.pdf (218 KB)
•  InfoSocProgressReport2.rtf (133 KB)