Digital Government Factsheet 2019

Percentage of individuals using the internet for interacting with public authorities in Ireland	Percentage of individuals using the internet for obtaining information from public authorities in Ireland

Source: Eurostat Information Society Indicators	Source: Eurostat Information Society Indicators

Percentage of individuals using the internet for downloading official forms from public authorities in Ireland	Percentage of individuals using the internet for sending filled forms to public authorities in Ireland

Source: Eurostat Information Society Indicators	Source: Eurostat Information Society Indicators

Digital Government State of Play

The graph below is the result of the latest eGovernment Benchmark report, which monitors the development of eGovernment in Europe, based on specific indicators. These indicators are clustered within four main top-level benchmarks:

User Centricity – indicates to what extent (information about) a service is provided online and how this is perceived.
Transparency– indicates to what extent governments are transparent regarding: i) their own responsibilities and performance, ii) the process of service delivery and iii) personal data involved.
Cross-Border Mobility – indicates to what extent EU citizens and businesses can use online services in another country.
Key Enablers – indicates the extent to which five technical pre-conditions are available online. There are: Identification (eID), Electronic documents (eDocuments), Authoritative Sources, and Digital Post. Digital Post refers to the possibility that governments communicate electronically-only with citizens or entrepreneurs through e.g. personal mailboxes or other digital mail solutions.

These top-level benchmarks are measured using a life-events (e.g. mystery shopping) approach. Eight life events are included in the overall eGovernment performance score. Four of these life events were measured in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and the other four were measured in 2012, 2014, 2016, and again in 2018. The life events measured in 2017 were Regular business operations, Moving, Owning and driving a car and Starting a small claims procedure. The life events measured in 2018 are Business start-up, Losing and finding a job, Family life and Studying.

Source: eGovernment Benchmark Report 2018 Country Factsheet

Digital Government Highlights

Digital Government Political Communications

In 2018, the National Public Procurement Policy Framework defined the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. It established the procurement procedures to be followed by Government Departments and State Bodies under national and EU rules.
The Public Service Data Strategy for the period 2019-2023 was published in December 2018. The strategy provided a detailed vision with a set of goals and actions to deliver a more joined-up whole-of-Government approach to how data is used and managed within the public service.
In April 2018, the Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data protection signed EU Declarations on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Innovation Radar which aimed at harnessing opportunities for Ireland in the sector.
In March 2018, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, announced the creation of an internal working group (the Intra-Departmental Working Group) to monitor further developments in the areas of virtual currencies and blockchain technology.

Digital Government Legislation

Following the consultation process and the review, the European Commission adopted a proposal on 25 April 2018 for a revision of the Directive on the re-use of Public Sector Information.
The Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 (the ‘Act’) was signed into law on 4 March 2019. The Act came in the wake of the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 and its purpose was to provide a generalised legal basis for the sharing of data between public bodies while also setting out appropriate safeguards under which such sharing could take place.

Digital Government Governance

A single governance group – Digital Leaders – was established in early 2019. The purpose of the group is to drive and oversee digitisation of services within the Civil Service.

Digital Government Infrastructure

Ireland implemented a new website, which is a central portal for online government services, allowing citizens the ability to search and find all government services in a single, convenient manner.
The Government Network (GN) is a privately managed, wide area multi-carrier, national network (WAN) connecting public service agencies on a data, voice and video capable network. In 2018 GN expanded the provision of high speed, high capacity networks to smaller towns that until now had relied on lower capacity links.

Digital Government Services for Citizens and Businesses

In 2018, the Department of Transport, Road Safety Authority of Ireland implemented an online service where drivers licences and learner permits could be renewed and requested.
The country also put in place an online Passport Renewal Service.

Digital Government Political Communications

Specific political communications on digital government

eGovernment Strategy

Develop a Digital Service Gateway;
Maintain an overall Digital Programme plan overseen by the eGovernment Minister;
Develop existing eID capability;
Develop similar plans to facilitate business and location identification;
Enhance data-sharing capability;
Introduce legislation to support data-sharing ambitions;
Continue to develop the Open Data Portal;
Transform the ‘back office’, i.e. simplify processes and infrastructure to facilitate better, more cohesive and more cost-effective delivery of Government services;
Ensure appropriate governance is in place;
Ensure people have the skills and capabilities to help move the programme forward.

Our Public Service

Our Public Service 2020, published in December 2017, is the new framework to drive development and innovation in the Irish public service. This new phase of public service reform will focus on supporting sustainable, continuous progress across the public service. It aims to build a stronger, more agile, public service and to deliver better quality services to the Irish public.

The framework is built across three pillars and includes both new initiatives and actions that build on reforms already in place. These are:

Delivering for Our Public;
Innovating for Our Future;
Developing Our People and Organisations.

The development of digital services and eGovernment is central to the Delivering for Our Public pillar and seen as key to improving service delivery as is making better use of data and sharing data more effectively between organisations.

The implementation of the framework began in 2018.

Public Service ICT Strategy

A Public Service ICT Strategy developed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) in collaboration with the Public Service Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council was approved by Government and published in January 2015. The Strategy set out the Government’s overall approach to ICT and contained a series of principles to ensure momentum was maintained in this area.

The Public Service ICT Strategy set out a high-level vision to reinforce ICT’s role in supporting Public Service Reform and transformation. It identified a number of key strategic objectives that will set the future direction for innovation and excellence in ICT within the Public Service:

Build to Share: creating ICT shared services to support integration across the wider Public Service to drive efficiency, standardisation, consolidation, reduction in duplication and control cost;
Digital First: digitisation of key transactional services and the increased use of ICT to deliver improved efficiency within Public Bodies and provide new digital services to citizens, businesses and public servants;
Data as an Enabler: in line with statutory obligations and Data Protection guidelines, facilitate increased data sharing and innovative use of data across all Public Bodies to enable the delivery of integrated services, improve decision making and improve openness and transparency between Government and the public;
Improve Governance: ensure that the ICT strategy is aligned, directed and monitored across Public Bodies to support the specific goals and objectives at a whole-of-government level and with an emphasis on shared commitment; and
Increase Capability: ensure the necessary ICT skills and resources are available to meet the current and future ICT needs of the Public Service.

The Strategy builds on the ICT foundations that will deliver future government services. It is aligned with the objectives of the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 and the goals of the Civil Service Renewal Plan and has the overarching objective of providing better outcomes for citizens, businesses and public servants through embracing the latest technological advances.

In the course of 2016, the Irish Government ran numerous in-depth consultations with Secretaries General, Heads of ICT in Government Departments, Industry, and other stakeholders to develop the Public Service ICT Strategy. The outcome of these consultations was an 18 Step Action Plan to develop the five strategic themes of the Strategy (Digital, Data, Build to Share, Governance and Capability). Implementation of the Action Plan is currently underway.

In the Public Service ICT Strategy, data have been identified as a critical enabler of better decision-making and more effective and efficient service provisioning. Government has taken steps to address some of the challenges by embarking on the National Data Infrastructure (NDI), which concerns itself with the consistent and reliable identification of data that relates to a particular location – through the use of an Eircode; person – through the use of a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN); business – through the use of a Unique Business Identifier (UBI). The consistent identification of these core data assets is crucial to successfully linking data, joining up government, and delivering integrated services. The Public Service Data Strategy 2019 – 2023 sets the NDI (and the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019) in the wider context of building a coherent data management ecosystem for the Public Service.

The 18 Step Action Plan developed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to progress the Public Service ICT Strategy focuses on five strategic themes. There has been good progress across all five pillars:

The Build to Share Common Applications are already proving a major success in Departments. The suite includes eSubmissions, ePQ (parliamentary questions) eDocs (to manage correspondence), and eFOI (to manage Freedom of Information requests). There is an ongoing rollout programme to implement all these applications across Departments and agencies. All Ministerial Departments are now on-boarded to the platform as well as a growing number of agencies. The process to on-board other organisations is at an advanced stage which will bring the user-base of Build to Share Applications close to 30,000 potential users.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer also has a number of initiatives as part of government’s response to cloud computing. The Government Cloud Network (GCN) service provides private, cost-effective, high speed network services to Public Service Bodies across the country. As of November 2017, there are 350 nodes on GCN including central Government Departments, the Local Authority sector, Education and Training Boards and various Government bodies.
In addition, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer is working with a number of Government Departments on plans to establish a Pan-Public Service Data Centre.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer is continuing the development of gov.ie, a digital portal to make it easier for citizens to find government services online; supporting better use of data across government in line with best practice in data protection and sharing; and developing a sustainable resourcing model for ICT across the Public Service.

Key enablers

Access to public information

Open Data Strategy

A new Open Data Strategy for the period 2017-2022 was published in July 2017. This strategy built on achievements made since the launch of the Open Data Initiative in 2014. Its two core objectives are, firstly, the publication of high value government data in open format, making it publicly available and freely reusable, secondly, engaging with a broad community of stakeholders to promote its social and economic benefits. The Strategy sets out seven strategic themes which will guide the Open Data Initiative over the lifetime of the Strategy:

Broaden the range of public bodies actively engaged in the Open Data Initiative – the ‘Open Data Providers’;
Broaden the scope and improve the quality, quantity and range of Open Data and associated metadata (to be used internally and made available to the public). Improve the quality and range of services provided through the national Open Data portal;
Continue to engage with all Stakeholders and encourage use of Open Data;
Support and encourage various groups of Open Data Users;
Provision of a framework to support and train all Data Providers and building capacity in the management and use of Open Data;
Evaluate the impact, benefits and risks of the Open Data Initiative and benchmark against other jurisdictions;
Ensure that effective governance structures are in place to implement the Strategy.

The Open Data Portal was ranked number 1 in the European Commission’s Open Data Maturity assessment for 2017.

Open Government Partnership National Action Plan

An online portal was deployed to reach a wide audience, encourage discussion, and inspire a sense of community. Civic forums were also held for further input and insight from civil society. Feedback and recommended actions were then collected and analysed, and then compiled in a first draft that was opened to comments. The Open Government Partnership was built on continuous engagement with the public and Civil Society.

The Action Plan comprised 15 commitments across four main themes:

Increased Citizen Engagement, to improve policies and services;
Increased Transparency, to better understand government activities and decisions;
Open Data, for transparency and innovation; and
Anti-Corruption and Strengthened Governance and Accountability, to ensure integrity in public life.

The National Action Plan has run until the end of June 2018.

eID and Trust Services

No political communication was adopted in this field to date.

Security aspects related to digital government

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the operational side of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in regard to network and information security. The NCSC encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE). The State works to reduce risks to Internet infrastructure and services in the interests of a resilient, secure and trustworthy online environment that citizens and businesses can rely upon for social and economic interaction. The NCSC works with other Government Departments, key industries such as energy and telecommunications and with international partners in the interests of securing or key digital assets, and the infrastructure that relies on these.

Interconnection of base registries

Public Service Data Strategy

The Public Service Data Strategy 2019 – 2023 acknowledges the principles for and benefits derived from establishing base registries. It contains a specific action to ‘Develop base registries and the processes required to govern their operation’. The Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 includes powers to establish base registries.

eProcurement

The National Public Procurement Policy Framework

Legislation (Directives, Regulations);
Government Policy (Circulars, etc.);
Capital Works Management Framework for Public Works;
General Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services; and
More detailed technical guidelines, template documentation and information notes as issued periodically by the Policy Unit of the Office of Government Procurement.

The framework sets out the procurement procedures to be followed by Government Departments and State Bodies under national and EU rules. The framework supports contracting authorities, including the OGP, the four key sectors (Health, Education, Local Government and Defence), individual Departments, Offices, commercial and non-commercial State bodies, and private entities which are subsidised 50% or more by a public body, when awarding contracts for works, goods and services. It supports and enables Public Bodies to adopt procedures to meet their Public Procurement requirements and facilitates compliance with EU and National Procurement Rules.

Domain-specific political communications

eHealth Strategy

The purpose of the strategy is to provide an outline of eHealth and demonstrate how the individual citizen, the Irish healthcare delivery systems – both public and private – and the economy as a whole will benefit from eHealth. Priority areas for initial development include ePrescribing, online referrals and scheduling, Telehealth (particularly relating to the management of chronic disease) and the development of summary patient records.

Knowledge and Information Strategy

Interoperability

Public Service Data Strategy

The Public Service Data Strategy for the period 2019-2023 was published in December 2018. It provided a detailed vision with a set of goals and actions to deliver a more joined-up whole-of-Government approach to how data is used and managed within the public service. It aimed to put in place a series of measures to improve how data is governed, managed and re-used in a secure, efficient and transparent manner, for the benefit of citizens, businesses and policy makers.

Its implementation will put Government in a better place to respond to service demands in an agile manner, by:

Providing more joined-up and integrated, end-to-end digital services;
Better processes for policy formulation and evaluation;
Improving protection and transparency of personal data processing; and
Reducing administration by cutting the need for businesses and citizens to provide the same data over and over again.

Emerging technologies

Research Priority Areas

In 2012, Government introduced Research Prioritisation, which aligns the majority of competitively awarded public investment in research with 14 priority areas. Innovation

Declarations on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Innovation Radar

Virtual Currencies and Blockchain Technology

In March 2018, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, announced the creation of an internal working group (the Intra-Departmental Working Group) to monitor further developments in the areas of virtual currencies and blockchain technology. The aims of the Intra-Departmental Working Group are as follows:

Monitoring developments at a global (example: Financial Stability Board, Financial Action Task Force, International Monetary Fund) and European level (example: European Commission, European Parliament and European Central Bank) in relation to virtual currencies and blockchain, and to provide input into the discussions as and when required;
Building knowledge of developments in technology with an aim to identify risks and assess potential economic opportunities for Ireland;
to engage with subject matter experts across industry, academia and the private sector to help build a dynamic communication flow;
Liaising with other areas of government to assess where involvement might be required;
Considering whether suitable policy recommendations are required;
Assisting in promoting a better understanding of the technology across government; and
Aligning Ireland’s IFS2020 Strategy to foster opportunities in international financial services by building on the country’s strengths in technology, research and financial services.

Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

Digital Government Legislation

Specific legislation on digital government

No legislation was adopted in this field to date.

Key enablers

Access to public information

Freedom of Information Act

A new Freedom of Information Act came into force on 14 October 2014. It provides for the commitments in relation to freedom of information contained in the Programme for Government by removing the main substantive restrictions in access to official information introduced in 2003, extending FOI to all public bodies unless specifically exempt in whole or in part and providing a framework for the extension of FOI to non-public bodies in receipt of significant funding from the Exchequer. The legislation also provided an opportunity for a necessary consolidation modernisation and updating of the legislation. The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 were repealed under the new Act.

European Communities (Re-Use of Public Sector Information) Regulations

In December 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin T.D., signed statutory regulations which transposed Directive 2013/37/EU on the re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI) into Irish law, thereby enhancing the rights of Irish citizens and businesses to re-use existing information held by public bodies in new products and services.

In preparation for the review of the Re-Use of Public Service Information (PSI) Directive, the European Commission launched a public online consultation to seek views on how to improve accessibility and re-use of public and publicly funded data. It also considered the question of access to and use of privately held data that is in the public interest. The final date for submissions was 12 December 2017.

Following the consultation process and review, in April 2018 the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise the Directive on the Re-use of Public Sector Information. It recommended overcoming the barriers, identified in an earlier impact assessment, that prevented the full re-use of public sector information. The proposals also endorsed the inclusion of public utilities and research data under the remit of the Directive.

Directive 2013/37/EU (which amended an earlier PSI Directive from 2003, Directive 2003/98/EC)) affects how the information can be re-used, once it has been legitimately accessed, by placing obligations on the public sector to the benefits of re-users. It amended the 2003 PSI regime in the following ways:

The general principle underlying the PSI regime was changed to ensure that accessible documents are re-usable for commercial and non-commercial purposes;
The fees chargeable by public sector bodies for re-use of documents were capped at marginal cost, with important exceptions;
The means of redress available to re-users must now include the possibility of review by an impartial body capable of making binding decisions (In Ireland, the Information Commissioner will take on this role);
The scope of the regime was extended to documents held by museums, libraries and archives, with important differences around charging and permissions;
New transparency requirements were introduced for situations in which charges were made.

These enhancements complemented the Government’s overall open data agenda, which aimed to encourage making available certain types of data and information held by public bodies (for example data on transport, education, crime and environment) for the benefit of those citizens and organisations who wish to make use of it for either commercial or non-commercial purposes.

Information on the relevant Statutory Instruments, guidance and licences relating to the re-use of PSI data can be found at https://data.gov.ie/psi.

Single Digital Gateway

Ireland is engaging as required with the Single Digital Gateway Regulation, which has as its main objective the provision of easy online access to Single Market information, procedures, assistance and advice for citizens and businesses.

eID and Trust Services

eIDAS regulation

The Regulation does not require separate legislation in Ireland. Ireland is engaging with the eIDAS Regulation as required and has plans to notify the MyGovID eID service in 2020/2021 in line with the Regulation. Ireland’s trust services infrastructure is nearing completion to be in line with the regulation.

Security aspects related to digital government

Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019

The purpose of this legislation is to provide a generalised legal basis for the sharing of data between public bodies while also setting out appropriate safeguards under which such sharing can take place. The Act provides a generalised legal basis for data sharing between public bodies for specific, legitimate purposes, including:

Making public services more seamless by reducing the burden of providing the same information to different public bodies;
Facilitating the effective administration, supervision and control of public services;
Establishing entitlements to public services;
Identifying and correcting erroneous information; and
Evaluating the effectiveness of public services.

In addition, the Act includes a number of provisions to ensure better data governance across the public service through:

The establishment of a Data Governance Board to advise the Minister on data management policy in the public service;
Ministerial power to issue standards, codes and guidelines (some of which will be legally binding) in respect of data management across the public service; and
Quality assessments of draft Data Sharing Agreements by the Data Governance Board.

Other key provisions include powers to:

Establish base registries that will provide an authentic, authoritative and complete source of basic data about people, businesses and locations for use across the public service;
Issue a Unique Business Identifier Number (UBIN) for the purpose of uniquely identifying any undertaking that has a transaction with a public body, and for the specification of a business information dataset that can be shared by public bodies in the performance of their functions.
Direct data sharing between public bodies where this is in the public interest and in compliance with data protection law; and
Collect and process public service data to support the administration of public service pension schemes and to facilitate better analysis and evaluation of public service staffing, pay and pensions.

The Data Protection Act 2018, signed into law on 24 May 2018, changed the previous data protection framework, established under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 (pdf). Its provisions include:

Establishing a new Data Protection Commission as the State’s data protection authority;
Transposing the law enforcement directive into national law;
Giving further effect to the General Data Protection (GDPR) in areas where member states have flexibility (for example, the digital age of consent).

The Data Protection Act also transposed the Law Enforcement Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/680) into national law.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The GDPR was implemented in Ireland. One of the main objectives of the act was to lay down rules relating to the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and rules relating to the free movement of personal data.

ePrivacy Regulations

The 2011 ePrivacy Regulations (S.I. No. 336 of 2011 Electronic Communications Networks and Services - Privacy And Electronic Communications) aim to providing for data protection and privacy connected with electronic communications networks and services and to enhance the security and reliability of such networks and services.

This Act reformed Irish copyright and related rights law, bringing it fully into line with the requirements of EU and international law in this area.

eProcurement

Office of Government Procurement

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) commenced operations in 2014 and together with four key sectors (Health, Defence, Education and Local Government), has responsibility for sourcing 16 categories of goods and services on behalf of the Public Service. In addition, the OGP is also responsible for the procurement policy and procedures.

National Public Procurement Policy Framework

A revised National Public Procurement Policy Framework, published in 2018, set out the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. The framework consisted of five strands:

Legislation (Directives, Regulations);
Government Policy (Circulars, etc.);
Capital Works Management Framework for Public Works;
General Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services;
More detailed technical guidelines, template documentation and information notes as issued periodically by the Policy Unit of the OGP.

The framework set out the procurement procedures to be followed by Government Departments and State Bodies under national and EU rules. It supported contracting authorities, including the OGP, the four key sectors (Health, Education, Local Government and Defence), individual Departments, Offices, commercial and non-commercial State bodies, and private entities subsidised 50% or more by a public body, when awarding contracts for works, goods and services. It supported and enabled Public Bodies to adopt procedures to meet their Public Procurement requirements and facilitates compliance with EU and National Procurement Rules.

The principal EU Directives are:

Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (goods, services and works);
Directive 2014/25/EU on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors; and
Directive 2014/23/EU on the award of Concession Contracts

These have been transposed into Irish Law by way of national regulations contained in Statutory Instruments as follows:

S.I. No. 284 of 2016 (Regulations);
S.I. No. 286 of 2016 (Utilities Regulations); and
S.I. No. 203 of 2017 (Concessions Regulations).

Information on these and all relevant procurement legislation, Directives and Regulations can be found here.

eInvoicing Legislation

The Office of Government Procurement is responsible for eInvoicing in Ireland. There is no legislation in place specifically relating to the support for, or provision of, electronic invoicing in the Public Sector. There are also no common platforms across the Public Sector either.

Nevertheless, Ireland transposed Directive 2010/45/EU, which establishes electronic invoices on an equal footing with paper invoices and is transposing the European Directive on eInvoicing (2014/55/EU) in public procurement. The eInvoicing Ireland programme working with the Office of Government Procurement and Public Sector partners has put in place an eInvoicing procurement Framework. The Framework offers compliant eInvoicing services and solutions for shared services and co-ordinating facilities as well as individual public bodies, to receive and process eInvoices in accordance with the European Standard and the national approach to implementing the eInvoicing Directive. The services and solutions range from online portals that facilitate basic compliance to more integrated straight-through-processing options.

Since 18 April 2019, Central Government contracting authorities and entities are required to receive and process eInvoices that comply with the European Standard on eInvoicing in public procurement. From 18 April 2020, all contracting authorities and entities will be required to receive and process eInvoices that comply with the European Standard on eInvoicing in public procurement.

Interconnection of base registries

The Companies Act 2014

The Companies Act 2014 covers legal provisions for the Business Registry. The Act prescribes the provisions for the various types of companies in existence as well as the allowed organisational frameworks they can function within. Furthermore, the Act states that registration offices for companies shall be set up in places deemed necessary by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as that each office shall be headed by a Registrar in charge of administering it.

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009

The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 stated that the Land Registry has the meaning given to it by section 7 of the Act of 1964, so that the central office shall be in Dublin while local offices are located in every other county in Ireland. In line with this, the central office is the one responsible for registering all land in the State, while the Land Registry as a body comprises the collective of the central and local offices.

Civil Registration Act of 2004

The Civil Registration Act of 2004, along with its Amendment from 2014, provided separate definitions as to what was understood by registration of births and stillbirths, adoptions, deaths, marriages, divorces. This was mostly due to historical reasons, as separate registries were kept for each of these different life events. For example, Part 3 Registration of Births and Stillbirths 18 stated: ‘In this Part, ‘‘the register’’ means, as the context requires, the register of births or the register of stillbirths and cognate words shall be construed accordingly.

Domain-specific legislation

Electronic Commerce Act

The Electronic Commerce Act became law on 20 September 2000. It implemented the EU Directive on a Community framework for electronic signatures (1999/93/EC) and, in part, the EU Directive on electronic commerce (2000/31/EC).

The Act provided (with some exceptions) for the legal recognition of electronic signatures, electronic writing and electronic contracts. It authorised the use of encryption and set the rights and obligations of Certifications Service Providers (CSPs).

European Communities (Directive 2000/31/EC) Regulations

The Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment signed the regulations in 2003 with a view to giving effect to those remaining provisions of the EU Directive on electronic commerce (2000/31/EC) not transposed into Irish law by the Electronic Commerce Act.

Interoperability

Data-Sharing and Governance Act 2019

The Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 was signed into law on 4 March 2019 and is awaiting commencement. The Act comes in the wake of the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 in order to clarify and strengthen the data sharing rights and obligations of public bodies. The Act paves the way for more efficient and cost-effective service delivery by public bodies by providing a clear legal basis for the sharing of personal data in certain circumstances. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden associated with the need for individuals to provide their personal data to numerous public bodies. The Act allows for the sharing of personal data between public bodies where the sharing is for the performance of a function of either of the public bodies. The Act provides for the establishment of a personal data access portal. This is a portal that would allow individuals to view their personal data as well as information in relation to any data breaches affecting their personal data and data sharing agreements under which their personal data is processed. Besides, the Act allows the Minster to designate base registries for use by public bodies so that they can access personal data without having to collect it directly from service users. A base registry will have an owner who must ensure the personal data is accurate and up to date.

Emerging technologies

There is no specific legislation in this area; existing laws apply where appropriate.

Digital Government Governance

National

Policy

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The overall responsibility for the eGovernment policy and the provision of central eGovernment infrastructure and services lies with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Paschal-Donohoe

Paschal Donohoe TD

Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform

Contact details:

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Government Buildings

Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2

Tel.: +353 1 676 75 71

Fax: +353 1 678 99 36

E-mail: minister@per.gov.ie

Source: http://per.gov.ie/

Patrick O’Donovan TD

Minister of State at the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Open Government and eGovernment

Contact details:

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Government Buildings

Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2

Tel.: +353 1 676 75 71

Fax: +353 1 678 99 36

E-mail: patrick.odonovan@oir.ie

Source: http://per.gov.ie/

Barry Lowry

Government Chief Information Officer

Contact details:

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Government Buildings

Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2,

Tel.: +353 1 676 75 71

Fax: +353 1 678 99 36

E-mail: barry.lowry@per.gov.ie

Source: http://per.gov.ie/

The OGCIO within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform monitors eGovernment development and provides reports as required to Government.

Base registry coordination

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Similarly, the Vehicle Registry’s organisation is distributed through local Motor Tax Offices, where registrations of purchase, sale, import and vehicle modifications can be made. In this sense, the Vehicle Registry is headed by the Road Safety Authority. It operates under the wings of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Registrations are done at any of the 29 local Motor Tax Offices, whose records in turn serve as proof of ownership or proof of any necessary actions undertaken with regards to vehicle registrations. The National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) constitute the national driver and vehicle registries and has a legal basis in Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993.

Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Property Registration Authority

Audit

Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General

The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General is tasked with:

Auditing and reporting on the accounts of public bodies;
Establishing that transactions of public bodies are in accordance with the legal authorities governing them and that funds are applied for the purposes intended;
Providing assurance on the system of internal financial control put in place by each body; and
Examining whether each body administers its resources economically and efficiently and sets up mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of operations.

Data Protection

Data Protection Commission

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals in the EU to have their personal data protected. The DPC is the Irish supervisory authority for the GDPR, and also has functions and powers related to other important regulatory frameworks including the Irish ePrivacy Regulations (2011) and the EU Law Enforcement Directive.

Office of the Information Commissioner

The main functions of the Information Commissioner are the following:

Review the decisions of public bodies in relation to Freedom of Information (FOI) Act requests and, where necessary, the making of binding, new decisions;
Review the operation of the FOI Act to ensure that public bodies comply with its provisions;
Foster an attitude of openness among public bodies by encouraging the voluntary publication of information above and beyond the minimum requirements of the Act; and
Prepare and publicise observations on the practical operation of the Act.

Subnational (federal, regional and local)

Policy

Local Councils

Local Authorities develop strategies based on their respective ICT and eGovernment needs.

Coordination

The Local Authorities work in the context of national strategies and through relevant initiatives of the Local Government Management Agency.

Implementation

Local Councils

Local Authorities implement their respective strategies with the support of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).

Support

Local Government Management Agency

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is a state agency of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. It was established in 2012 to provide a range of services to the Local Government Sector and was created following the merger of the Local Government Computer Services Board, Local Government Management Services Board and An Comhairle Leabharlanna. The LGMA provides a range of services within the context of its statutory remit, in support of co-ordinated and cost-effective delivery of Local Government services and policy.

Base registry coordination

The local authorities work in the context of national strategies and initiatives.

Audit

Local Government Audit Service (LGAS)

The LGAS is an external audit service providing independent credibility to the financial stewardship function of local authorities and other bodies.

Data Protection

The Local Authorities are subject to the same data protection legislative regime as at national level.

Digital Government Infrastructure

Portals

Government portal

The gov.ie website is a central portal for online government services. It provides, allowing citizens with the ability to search and find all government services in a convenient manner. Services have been aggregated from across the public sector, and new services are constantly being added.

Work is currently underway to further develop the Portal, (referred to as a Digital Service Gateway in the eGovernment Strategy) including a project to retire separate Departmental (Ministry) web-sites and re-apprise the content before moving over to the gov.ie site. Progress is ongoing with a view to completing during 2020.

Open Data Portal

GeoHive

Citizens Information website

The subjects covered are divided into 14 categories, representing life events and activities, allowing users to readily access a relevant topic. Sourced from a wide variety of service providers and agencies, the information is backed up by case studies, supporting documentation and downloadable forms.

Irish Government News Service portal

The Irish Government News Service portal affords a view of government from the vantage point of Government Buildings itself. It reviews the wide range of government activity and then reports certain key events as news. All government press releases are accessible either via RSS feed or links to all Government Departments. The site’s central task is to select a variety of events and report on them objectively. It also features ‘Issues’, where useful thematic information, not tied to a particular date, is presented. It enables people with an interest in Government dealings to view the latest developments on one website. It is produced by a team in Government Buildings, involving the Government Information Service, Government Press and IT.

Networks

Government Networks (GN)

GN is a privately managed, wide area multi-carrier, national network (WAN) connecting public service agencies on a data, voice and video capable network. It is designed primarily to facilitate easy, efficient, secure and reliable communication between Government agencies, and to support existing and future Government applications. A mechanism for providing agencies with a secure access to the Internet is included, as well as a means for agencies to securely host Internet services. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in conjunction with the Government Networks Programme Board has established GN on behalf of the non-commercial public sector.

GN offers a number of potential cost and operational benefits: inter-agency collaboration and delivery of joined-up government services; access for all agencies to network capability and products/technology (regardless of size); execution of a number of standard day-to-day infrastructure services allowing agencies to focus on their core programmes and services; improvement of security of government information systems; incorporation of Internet access costs for Government agencies into one highly resilient infrastructure; commercial advantages of an aggregated procurement approach, resulting in reduced costs.

In 2018 GN expanded the provision of high speed, high capacity networks to smaller towns that have heretofore relied on lower capacity links. A centralised shared Wi-Fi infrastructure was also deployed in 2018, which allows Public Service Bodies to deploy secure corporate and guest wireless networks in multiple locations with minimum investment in infrastructure.

Data Exchange

Death Events Publishing Service

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform runs the Death Events Publishing Service. This is a service that distributes information on death events to a range of public sector bodies to take action as appropriate in relation to services that the deceased person(s) may have been receiving. The information contains details on all deaths notified to the General Register Office. It is currently updated once per week.

Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information

eID and Trust Services

Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)

The PPS number is a unique personal identifier and is used extensively by Government Departments and other authorised users to provide the public with secure access to a wide range of public services. State agencies that use PPS numbers to identify individuals include the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). It is mandatorily assigned to every Irish child at birth. The PPSN may be used in:

All social welfare services;
The Free Travel Pass;
Pupil ID;
Public health services, including the medical card and the drugs payment scheme;
Child immunisation;
Schemes run by the Revenue Commissioners, such as mortgage interest relief;
Housing grants;
Driver Theory Testing and driver licences.

The 'SAFE' programme, jointly sponsored by the Departments of Social and Family Affairs and of Public Expenditure and Reform, has defined levels of person registration and authentication.

Public Service Card (PSC)

The PSC ensures that people can access public services across a number of channels, including online, via telephone or in person at a public office, with a minimum of duplication while preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible.

In February 2011, approximately three million PSCs started being issued for citizens over 16 years old, allowing access to public services. Issuing a PSC involves a face-to-face registration process which includes the collection of a photograph and signature (in line with the “SAFE” programme). Online appointments to be registered for a Public Services Card (or to get a PPS number) can be made at https://www.mywelfare.ie/. PSCs are replacing cards currently in use, such as the Social Services Card and the Free Travel card, with highly secure cards featuring laser engraving personalisation, a contact chip, a signature, a photograph and an expiry date. The rollout of the Public Services Card (PSC) is ongoing with over 3 million cards issued by the end of 2017.

MyGovID

MyGovID is a new single online identity for Irish citizens allowing access to a range of online public services more easily, using only one password. MyGovID gives users a safer and faster access to public services from their PC, smart phone or a tablet device. MyGovID is built on the Public Services Card, linking a ‘real world’ identity to an online identity, and is designed for sharing and integration across government departments and public bodies.

MyAccount

In 2015, Revenue introduced myAccount, which is a single access point for secure online services (excluding ROS) such as PAYE Anytime, Local Property Tax, Home Renovation Incentive and many more using a single login and password.

Passports

Irish citizens can renew their passport book, renew their Passport Card, or apply for their first Passport Card using an online Passport Renewal Service. It can be used by Irish citizens living anywhere in the world and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

A Passport Card, first introduced in 2015, can be used by Irish citizens for travel within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The Card is available to all Irish citizens who are over 18 years and in possession of a valid Irish Passport. Applications can be submitted online or through the free app from anywhere in the world.

Irish citizens who hold an Irish Passport or held an Irish Passport that expired within the previous five years can now apply online for renewal.

Electronic Passports (ePassports) have been issued by the Passport Office within the Department of Foreign Affairs since October 2006. An ePassport is the same as a normal machine-readable passport but it also has a small integrated circuit or chip embedded in the photo page. The chip securely stores a digitised image of the photo and personal details of the passport holder as they appear on the data page of their passport. The chip allows facial recognition technology at border controls.

eProcurement

eTenders Procurement portal

www.eTenders.gov.ie has been developed as part of the Irish Government's Strategy for the Implementation of eProcurement in the Irish Public Sector. The site is designed to be a central facility for all public sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities and award notices. The site is managed by The Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The OGP sets the policy on content and functionality of the site however day to day management and maintenance, as well as development, of the site has been outsourced to a private company, EU-Supply.

The site displays, on a daily basis, all Irish public sector procurement opportunities currently being advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), as well as other lower-value contracts uploaded to the site from awarding authorities. At any given time, it will contain all open opportunities in the form of Tender Notices, Prior Indicative Notices (PIN) and Contract Award Notices (CAN). It also provides associated tender documents (where available) which can be downloaded from the site.

The site has the functionality to allow Awarding Authorities to publish notices on the site which will then be sent to the OJEU automatically. Other functionality includes: facility for conducting online clarifications via a Q&A facility; online submission of tenders; user and notice management facilities to awarding authorities; email alerts and response management facilities to suppliers. There is also comprehensive notice search and help functions. www.eTenders.gov.ie also provides comprehensive information on procurement rules and guidelines. These include European Directives and National Guidelines on the Public Procurement Process.

The site offers the opportunity to widen the net of potential suppliers to the Irish Public Sector. There is no charge to contracting authorities or suppliers for this service. The eTenders site is also freely available for use by the public to view tender notices published by Public Contracting Authorities.

eInvoicing

ePayment

No particular infrastructure in this field was reported to date.

Knowledge Management

Build to Share Applications

Build to Share Applications are built and maintained by the Office of Government CIO, which delivers a suite of corporate support applications common across Departments. The central development of a common applications suite for use by all Departments was identified in the Public Service ICT Strategy as an opportunity to drive efficiencies and savings. It consists of:

eSubmissions – a system to support managing submissions internally in Departments
ePQ – managing replies to Parliamentary Questions internally in Departments,
eCorrespondence – to manage correspondence received by Departments,
eDocs – a records management system
eFOI – for processing Freedom of Information requests
Hive – a collaboration space for the Civil Service is currently accessible by all Departments plus a number of other public service bodies.
Intranet – an out-of-the box intranet solution for Departmental internal communications

There is an ongoing rollout programme to implement all these applications across Departments and agencies. All Ministerial Departments are now on-boarded to the platform as well as a growing number of agencies. The process to on-board other organisations is at an advanced stage which will bring the user-base of Build to Share Applications close to 30 000 potential users. Implementation will continue, on a phased basis, through 2019 and beyond.

National Mapping

OSi provide a range of online services including GeoHive and MapGenie.

Cross-border platforms

No particular infrastructure in this field was reported to date.

Base registries

Companies Registration Office

The incorporation of companies;
The receipt and registration of post incorporation documents;
The enforcement of the Companies Acts in relation to the filing obligations of companies; and
Making information on companies available to the public.

Land Registry and related services

Landdirect.ie is an online search application offering easy access to their services. The application gives access to its interactive map for free to all customers. By accessing its extensive digital register, all users can conduct mapping searches, search by location or address, view details of all property registered in the land Registry and order official copy documents. In addition, account holders have access to a wider range of services tailored for the professional user.

Single Customer View

The Single Customer View is a system which takes records from these databases and links them together. The data stored is the ‘Public Service Identity’ dataset as defined in the Social Welfare legislation.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform maintains and operates the Single Customer View on behalf of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection which is the Data Controller for the purposes of Data Protection.

Registration of Property Transactions

By accessing an extensive digital register, available through Landdirect.ie, all users can conduct mapping searches, search by location or address, view details of all property registered in the Land Registry and order official copy documents.

Digital Government Services for Citizens

The information in this section presents an overview of the basic public services provided to the citizens. These were identified taking inspiration from Your Europe, a website which aims to help citizens do things in other European countries – avoiding unnecessary inconvenience and red tape in regard to moving, living, studying, working, shopping or simply travelling abroad. However, the categories used in this factsheet aim to collect a broader range of information, focusing therefore not only on cross-border services, but also on national services.

The groups of services for citizens are as follows:

Travel
Work and retirement
Vehicles
Residence formalities
Education and youth
Health
Family
Consumers

Travel

Documents you need for travel in Europe
Passport Online
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Foreign Affairs, Passport Office
Website:	https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline; https://www.eforms.gov.ie/en/
Description:	Irish citizens can now renew their passport book, renew their Passport Card, or apply for their first Passport Card using the Online Passport Renewal Service. Irish citizens who hold an Irish Passport or held an Irish Passport that expired within the previous five years can then apply online for renewal if their name is the same as that on their previous Passport. Information on passport application process and online facility to request application forms. Passport holders can register to receive reminders of an expiry date and can track the progress of their passport application online. A passport appointment service is available for those travelling at short notice. The Irish Passport Card, can be used by Irish citizens for travel within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The Card is available to all Irish citizens who are over 18 years and hold a valid Irish Passport. Applications can be submitted online or through the free app from anywhere in the world.
TravelWise
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Website:	http://www.dfa.ie/travelwise/
Description:	A new smartphone application developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was designed to help Irish citizens to stay safe and well informed while travelling or living overseas.
Immigration Registration
Responsibility:	Department of Justice and Equality
Website:	https://burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie
Description:	An online appointment booking and information provision system for immigration registration.
Passenger rights
Re-Entry Visas
Responsibility:	Department of Justice and Equality
Website:	https://burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie/
Description:	The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) appointment booking system allows applicants who wish to attend in person at the Visa Public Office to book an appointment with the Visa Officer in order to have their re-entry visa application assessed.
Transport and disability
Tax relief for drivers and passengers with disabilities
Responsibility:	N/A
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation /transport_and_disability/tax_relief_for_disabled _drivers_and_disabled_passengers.html
Description:	The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides a range of tax reliefs for disabled drivers and disabled passengers. (Contact: www.revenue.ie )
Mobility training for people with visual impairments
Responsibility:	N/A
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation /transport_and_disability/mobility_training_for_people _with_a_visual_impairment.html
Description:	If you have a visual impairment, orientation and mobility training can help you develop a range of skills that will make it easier to move around safely. Types of mobility aid and sources of training are described here. (Contact: http://www.ncbi.ie/ )
Disabled Person's Parking Card
Responsibility:	N/A
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation /traffic_and_parking/disabled_persons_parking_card.html
Description:	The European Parking Card scheme makes free parking available for disabled drivers and passengers in Ireland. (Contacts: http://www.ddai.ie/ and http://www.iwa.ie/)
Parking facilities for people with disabilities
Responsibility:	N/A
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_ recreation/traffic_and_parking/parking_ facilities_for_people_with_disabilities.html
Description:	This document describes facilities in car parks around Ireland that are designed for people with disabilities. (Contact: Local Authority -http://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/administration/local-authorities/local-authorities)
Driving abroad
International Driving Permit
Responsibility:	This is not a Government service but see information links provided
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/ motoring_1/driver_licensing/international_driving_permit.html ; http://www.theaa.ie/AA/Motoring-advice/Driving-in-Europe/International-driving-permit.aspx
Description:
What can you take with you?
Travel advice when planning a trip abroad
Responsibility:	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Website:	https://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=276
Description:	The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland provides travel advice to Irish people planning a trip overseas
Security and Emergencies
Travel advice when planning a trip abroad
Responsibility:	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Website:	https://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=276
Description:	The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland provides travel advice to Irish people planning a trip overseas
Package travel and timeshare
Consumer rights and package holidays
Responsibility:	European Consumer Centre, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Commission for Aviation Regulation
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/ consumer_affairs/travel/package_holidays.html
Description:	A ‘package holiday’ covers two types of travel packages: ready-made and customised or dynamic packages. Citizens also have rights for linked travel arrangements. The EU Directive 2015/2302 on Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements introduced consumer rights for additional types of travel arrangements taking into account the increasing use of internet booking. SI 80 of 2019 (pdf) gives effect to the Directive in Ireland. The regulations amend some rights under the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 and provide for new rights.

Work and retirement

Working abroad, finding a job abroad, retiring abroad
Income taxes: declaration, notification of assessment
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	The Irish Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system is based on a cumulative system whereby tax deductions are balanced over an entire tax year. The tax deductions are made at source and various allowances are also calculated at source. This proactive approach to service delivery means that there is no requirement for the vast majority of employees to submit a tax declaration. Most tax credits/reliefs are automatically carried forward on the PAYE taxpayer’s record. Furthermore, claims for credit and tax record look-ups can be performed online.
MyWelfare
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Website:	https://services.mywelfare.ie/
Description:	MyWelfare is the online home of welfare services. It allows you easy online access to a range of services - from making appointments and applying for certain benefits to updating your details and ordering statements.
Intreo
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Website:	http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Intreo_home.aspx
Description:	Intreo is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. Designed to provide a more streamlined approach, Intreo offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike.
Professional qualifications
Legal information systems
Responsibility:	Several entities
Website:	http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/
Description:	Several websites provide Irish legislation in an electronic form. The electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB) includes Acts of the Oireachtas and Statutory Instruments, the official versions of which remain the printed versions published by Government Publications. The eISB also includes the Legislation Directory. Other sources of Irish information are for example the Irish Legal Information Initiatiatice, Irish Statute Book, or Irish Law Site.
Jobs Ireland
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Website:	https://www.jobsireland.ie/
Description:	The website allows job-seekers to create an account and search for available vacancies. It also has a filter, allowing for better matches between job-seekers and available vacancies and allows job-seekers to apply for available positions online.
Employment Permits Online
Responsibility:	Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
Website:	https://epos.djei.ie/
Description:	This is an end-to-end online application system for employment permits. Benefits include a faster turnaround of applications into decisions; easy to use supporting documentation, and built-in validation.
Unemployment and Benefits
Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) I
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Employment and Social Affairs
Website:	http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/socialwelfare/irish:social welfare system/personal public service number.html
Description:	The PPSN is a common identification number used for social welfare and taxation purposes which is gradually being extended across the public service in the interest of improving customer service. It is mandatorily assigned to every Irish child at birth.
Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) II
Responsibility:	Irish Tax and Customs
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	This eService provides a means for PAYE (employees) customers to: view their tax record; claim a wide range of tax credits (service charges, union subscriptions and Rent Credit etc.); claim a wide range of tax credits and wide range of tax refunds including health expenses; update an address; declare additional income; request a review of tax liability for previous years; re-allocate credits between spouses as well as track the correspondence submitted to Revenue. PAYE is based on the use of a Personal Identification Number.
Unemployment benefits
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Website:	https://www.welfare.ie/
Description:	Provides online services and comprehensive details of the main unemployment payments available from the Department. The platform also provides the following online; appointment services, jobseeker services, and children and family services.
Taxes
Assessing, collecting and managing taxes and duties for the State
Responsibility:	Revenue
Website:	www.revenue.ie
Description:	The core business is the assessment and collection of taxes and duties.

Vehicles

Cars
Vehicle Registration Tax
Responsibility:	Revenue
Website:	www.revenue.ie
Description:	With limited exceptions, all motor vehicles in the State must be registered within 30 days of the date they first arrive in the State
Driving Licence
Driver’s licence
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Transport, Road Safety Authority
Website:	http://www.rsa.ie/; https://eforms.gov.ie/en/
Description:	Information and forms for download purposes. Licence holders can register for an automatic reminder of an expiry date. An online driving test application is also available.
Driver’s licence
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Transport, Road Safety Authority
Website:	https://ndls.rsa.ie/
Description:	This online service allows for full driving licence renewal or a learner permit renewal.
Driver’s Theory Test
Responsibility:	Road Safety Authority
Website:	www.theorytest.ie/driver-theory-test/
Description:	Users can prepare for and book driving theory tests online.
Insurance
Motor Insurance
Responsibility:	Private Insurance Companies
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/ motoring_1/motor_tax_and_insurance/motor_insurance.html
Description:	Motor insurance is issued by private insurance companies. The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman deals with complaints and disputes between policyholders and their insurance companies when the company's complaints procedure fails to resolve the problem.It is a legal requirement to have motor insurance if you want to drive your car in a public place and you must produce a current Certificate of Insurance to pay motor tax.
Registration
Car registration (new, used, imported cars)
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	The system allows registered motor dealers to fully register and pay the registration tax for all new vehicles. All used imported vehicles are required to be produced for inspection at a Revenue Office.

Residence formalities

Residence rights
Housing (building and housing, environment)
Responsibility:	Local Government
Website:	http://www.dublincity.ie/
Description:	Electronic intake with an official form to start the procedure to obtain a building or renovation permission.
Participation in Irish elections
Responsibility:	Local Authorities
Website:	http://www.checktheregister.ie/PublicPages/AppForms.aspx
Description:	Participation in the Irish elections is not available as an eService. Applications forms are available on www.checktheregister.ie, however when complemented they must be returned to the local authority.
Family residence rights
Residence rights of family members
Responsibility:	N/A
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/ moving_to_ireland/rights_of_residence_in_ireland/ residence_rights_of_family_members.html
Description:	A person moving to Ireland for whatever reason, may be able to bring family members to live with them. The person’s rights in this respect depend on their nationality and on the type of residence entitlement they have. Their family member(s) right to stay in Ireland depends on the person’s entitlement. The family member(s) may acquire an entitlement in their own right.
Document and formalities
Certificates (birth, marriage): request and delivery
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Health and Children, General Register Office
Website:	www.certificates.ie
Description:	Electronic form to apply for a life event certificate.
Base Registry:	http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/General-Register-Office.aspx/
Criminal Record Certificate
Responsibility:	An Garda Síochána (Ireland’s National Police Service)
Website:	http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving country/moving abroad/leaving ireland/police certificate.html
Description:	Not available as an eService.
Declaration to the police (e.g. in case of theft)
Responsibility:	Central Government, An Garda Síochana (National Police Service)
Website:	http://www.garda.ie/
Description:	Online submission of report to An Garda Siochana.
Declaration to the police (e.g. in case of theft)
Responsibility:	An Garda Síochana (National Police Service)
Website:	https://vetting.garda.ie/Application/About
Description:	Efficiencies resulting from the introduction of the Garda (national police force) eVetting solution have reduced the turnaround time for clearing applications to a matter of days rather than weeks under the paper application system. The solution facilitates a much simpler application form and allows the applicant to track the progress of the application throughout the process.
Waste
Responsibility:	Environment, Community and Local Government
Website:	http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/LocalGovernment Administration/LocalAuthorities/
Description:	The local authority can provide advice on waste disposal and recycling facilities via phone or in person. No eService is available yet.
eRegistration.ie
Responsibility:	Property Registration Authority
Website:	https://www.eregistration.ie/
Description:	eRegistration.ie is the online channel provided by the Property Registration Authority (PRA) for the electronic registration of transactions affecting the land register in Ireland.

Education and youth

School & University
Enrolment in higher education/university
Responsibility:	Higher education institutions, Central Applications Office (CAO)
Website:	http://www.cao.ie/
Description:	Online application system, including submission and payment of application fees, confirmation and offers. CAO has been delegated by higher education institutions in Ireland the task of centrally processing applications to their first year undergraduate courses. The participating institutions retain the function of making decisions on admissions.
Public libraries (availability of catalogues, search tools)
Responsibility:	Central Government/Local Government, the Library Council
Website:	http://www.library.ie/; www.borrowbooks.ie
Description:	Libraries offer the possibility to search for a specific title and to perform an electronic reservation. Libraries also offer the possibility of joining book clubs, as well as a wide range of other services.
Student Grants
Responsibility:	Central Government/Local Government, Department of Education and Skills
Website:	https://www.grantsonline.ie/
Description:	Online applications for Student Grants. Under the free fees initiative, the DES meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses. Such courses must generally be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. These colleges include the publicly funded colleges and a number of non-publicly funded religious colleges which are approved for the purposes of the Higher Education Grants Scheme and which are part of the CAO system of entry.
Traineeships
Vocational education and training
Responsibility:	Various including: Department of Education and Skills, Department of Employment and Social Affairs, Education and Training Boards, SOLAS (Further Education and Training Authority
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/
Description:	There are various ways of continuing education, furthering training and acquiring new skills.
Researchers
Information and assistance to researchers
Responsibility:	Student Universal Support Ireland
Website:	https://www.susi.ie/
Description:	The website allows eligible college students to apply for university grants. The website is currently updated, most recent developments include enhanced security, more automated validation and extended data-sharing with other departments and agencies.
Public Libraries (availability of catalogues, search tools)
Responsibility:	Central Government/Local Government, the Library Council
Website:	http://librariesireland.iii.com/iii/encore/?lang=eng
Description:	Libraries offer the possibility to search for a specific title and to perform an electronic reservation. Libraries also offer the possibility of joining book clubs, as well as a wide range of other services.
Research support
Responsibility:	Irish Research Council
Website:	http://www.research.ie/
Description:	The mission of the Irish Research Council is to enable and sustain a vibrant research community in Ireland. To address the broad skills and research needs within society, excellent researchers are supported in all disciplines from Arts to Zoology.
Volunteering
Voluntary work and social welfare payments Voluntary development work abroad and social insurance
Responsibility:	Department of Employment and Social Affairs
Website:	www.welfare.ie, https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/ social_welfare_payments/voluntary_work_and_ social_welfare_payments.html , https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/ moving_abroad/working_abroad/ voluntary_development_work_abroad_and_social_insurance.html
Description:	A person on social welfare payments may do some unpaid work as a volunteer and keep that social welfare payment. However, they must continue to meet all the conditions attached to the payment. If a person lives in Ireland and has spent time working in a developing country, that person may qualify for credited social insurance contributions for the period spent working abroad and any preparatory period beforehand. Non-governmental organisation: Volunteer Ireland (https://www.volunteer.ie/)is the national volunteer development agency and a support body for all local Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services in Ireland.

Health

Unplanned Healthcare
Health Service Executive (HSE) Civil Registration Service
Responsibility:	HSE Live team
Website:	https://www2.hse.ie/births-deaths-and-marriages/
Description:	The HSE Civil Registration Service registers all births, deaths and marriages in Ireland. They also carry out civil marriage ceremonies.
Maternity and Newborn Clinical Information Systems
Responsibility:	Health Service Executive
Website:	http://www.ehealthireland.ie/Strategic-Programmes/MNCMS/
Description:	This system was implemented in Cork University Maternity Hospital in late 2016 and subsequently for maternity services in Kerry. The solution was implemented in the Rotunda and National Maternity Hospitals in 2017. It is a fully digital solution resulting in the elimination of paper records.
Electronic Blood Tracking System (EBTS)
Responsibility:	Health Service Executive
Website:	http://www.ehealthireland.ie/Case-Studies-/Electronic-Blood-Tracking/
Description:	The third and final phase of the implementation programme is present in all 48 hospitals.
eReferrals System
Responsibility:	Health Service Executive
Website:	http://www.ehealthireland.ie/Strategic-Programmes/eReferral/
Description:	The solution allows for a general practitioner to refer patients electronically to any acute hospital in the country
Planned medical treatment abroad
Travelling from Ireland for healthcare in Europe
Responsibility:	www.hse.ie
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/ eu_healthcare/travelling_for_healthcare.html
Description:	A person can get planned healthcare abroad under the Treatment Abroad Scheme or the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. In general, the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive only covers treatments that are available in Ireland while the Treatment Abroad Scheme covers treatments that are not available in Ireland.
Getting prescription medicine abroad
Cross-border prescriptions
Responsibility:	www.hse.ie
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/ drugs_and_medicines/cross_border_prescriptions.html
Description:	If you have a medical prescription from a doctor in the European Economic Area (EEA), the prescription is valid in all other EEA countries if it contains certain information.

Family

Children and Couples
Child allowances
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Website:	http://www.welfare.ie/
Description:	Online application for Child Benefit payments for a first child. Payment automatically increases upon registration of the birth of subsequent children.
Certificates (birth, marriage): request and delivery
Responsibility:	Central Government, Department of Health and Children, General Register Office
Website:	www.certificates.ie
Description:	Electronic form to apply for a life event certificate.
Cross-border
EU and family law
Responsibility:	Citizens’ Information board
Website:	https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/ birth_family_relationships/eu_and_family_law.html
Description:	General information about the scope and role of EU rules in family law matters

Consumers

Shopping
Citizens information website
Responsibility:	Citizens Information Board (national agency)
Website:	http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/
Description:	Citizens Information website is run by the Citizens Information Board, Ireland's national agency responsible for providing information and advice on social services, operating under the aegis of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The website provides guidance on a wide range of subjects, such as employment rights, buying a home, moving abroad and education.
Internet and Telecoms
Regulator
Responsibility:	Commission for Communications Regulation
Website:	https://www.comreg.ie/
Description:	ComReg is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications sector (telecommunications, radio communications, broadcasting transmission and premium rate services) and the postal sector.
Financial products and services
Revenue Online Service (ROS)
Responsibility:	Revenue Commissioners
Website:	https://revenue.ie/en/Home.aspx
Description:	The Revenue Commissioners also provide a Revenue Online Service (ROS) for business customers. This system provides a means for business customers to: file returns online; make payments by debit card, debit instruction or online banking (Online Banking applies to Income Tax only); obtain online details of personal/clients Revenue Accounts; calculate tax liability; conduct business electronically and claim repayments. The ROS service is based on qualified electronic signatures.
Unfair treatment
Ombudsman
Responsibility:	Multiple: Ombudsman; Ombudsman for Children; Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman; Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission See list of Ombudsman offices and responsibilities at https://www.ombudsman.ie/news/which-ombudsman-deals-wit/
Website:	https://www.ombudsman.ie/ https://www.ombudsman.ie/making-a-complaint/if-we-cant-help/Ombudsman-Offices-in-Ireland-(Web-Eng-A4).pdf
Description:	The Ombudsman Offices provide free and objective help to citizens when they have problems with services provided by the State and other organisations
Energy supply
Energy Regulation
Responsibility:	The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator
Website:	https://www.cru.ie/
Description:	The CRU’s mission is to protect the public interest in Water, Energy and Energy Safety. The work of the CRU impacts every Irish home and business, by ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies at a reasonable cost.
Consumer dispute resolution
Rights of consumers
Responsibility:	The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
Website:	https://www.ccpc.ie/
Description:	The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland

Digital Government Services for Businesses

The information in this section presents an overview of the basic public services provided to the Businesses. These were identified taking inspiration from Your Europe, a website which aims to help citizens do things in other European countries – avoiding unnecessary inconvenience and red tape in regard to moving, living, studying, working, shopping or simply travelling abroad. However, the categories used in this factsheet aim to collect a broader range of information, focusing therefore not only on cross-border services, but also on national services.

The groups of services for businesses are as follows:

Running a business
Taxation
Selling in the EU
Human Resources
Product requirements
Financing and Funding
Dealing with Customers

Running a business

Intellectual property
eRegister of industrial property applications
Responsibility:	Irish Patents Office
Website:	https://www.patentsoffice.ie/en/
Description:	Information about IP in Ireland, and two online services are available. These two services are the following: online payments (for renewal fees, trade mark registration fee(s) and patent grant fee(s) by credit, or debit card), and trade mark e-filling (for trade mark).
Business Regulation
Responsibility:	Central Government
Website:	http://www.businessregulation.ie/
Description:	The Business Regulation online service provides, in one place, details of the main regulations which affect businesses.
Start-Ups, Developing a business
Local Enterprise
Responsibility:		Local Enterprise Office
Website:		https://www.localenterprise.ie/
Description:		This online guide is to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government supports to see which could possibly apply. Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information and support to starting up or growing a business.
Registration of a new company
Responsibility:		Central Government, Companies Registration Office
Website:		http://www.cro.ie/
Description:		If a business is being established using the entrepreneur's true name, there is no requirement for the business name to be formally registered. If a business is to be carried out under a name other than the entrepreneur's true name, registration of the business name is obligatory and can be registered online. If formal registration is required, it is not possible to fully register a company electronically, under Irish law, as a statutory declaration cannot be made electronically. However, the Companies Registration process in Ireland is quick and efficient.
Starting a business
Responsibility:		Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
Website:		http://www.businessregulation.ie/
Description:		The purpose of the platform is to provide start-up advice to businesses as well as details of key relevant regulations (financial and structural, location-based, Health & Safety, etc.)
Licence Applications
Responsibility:		Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation
Website:		https://www.licences.ie/ILAS
Description:		The online licensing system allows businesses to apply and pay for the licences, permits and certificates that they need.
Submission of data to statistical offices
Responsibility:		Central Government, Central Statistics Office (CSO)
Website:		http://www.cso.ie/
Description:		Submission of data to the statistical office can be performed electronically.
Online guide for supporting Irish start-ups and small businesses
Responsibility:		Central Government
Website:		https://www.localenterprise.ie/
Description:		There are over 80 different Government supports for Irish start-ups and small businesses. This online guide is to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government supports to see which could possibly apply. Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information and support to starting up or growing a business. With dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer a wide range of experience, skills and services.

Taxation

Excise duties, VAT and business tax
VAT: declaration, notification
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners
Website:	http://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	The system allows submission and payment facilities for all VAT returns by all traders or their nominated tax agent. In addition to the standard VAT return, the System supports submission of - Annual Return of Trading Details (RTD Form) and statistical returns - Intrastat and VIES as required.
Revenue Online Service (ROS) (incl. electronic payments)
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	Revenue Online Service (ROS) is provided for business customers by the Revenue Commissioners. This system provides a means for business customers to: file returns online; make payments by debit card, debit instruction or online banking (Online Banking applies to Income Tax only); obtain online details of personal/client Revenue Accounts; calculate tax liability; conduct business electronically and claim repayments. The ROS service is based on qualified electronic signatures.
Corporate tax: declaration, notification
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	The system allows submission and payment facilities for Corporation Tax returns by companies or their nominated tax agent. Companies filing electronically receive an electronic copy of the Notice of Assessment. The system can accept returns information generated from third party software, as well as Revenue supplied forms.
Customs declaration
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	Online facilities for carrying out customs declarations are available in Ireland via the Revenue On-Line Service (ROS).
Importing and Exporting
Responsibility:	Irish Tax and Customs
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/
Description:	Several documents required in relation to imports and exports can be accessed via the website of the Irish Tax and Customs.
SMART PAYE
Responsibility:	Irish Tax and Customs
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/paye-modernisation/what-is-paye-modernisation/index.aspx
Description:	Revenue, employers and employees will now have the most accurate, up to date information relating to pay and statutory payroll. This ensures the correct amounts of Income Tax, Pay Related Social Insurance, Universal Social Charge and Local Property Tax are deducted at the right time, deducted from the right employees and paid by employers.

Selling in the EU

Public contracts
Public procurement / eProcurement
Responsibility:	Central Government, Office of Government Procurement
Website:	http://www.etenders.gov.ie/; https://www.procurement.ie/
Description:	eTenders is the central government procurement portal. It provides information and tools for electronic public procurement. Online tendering tools are provided for public sector purchasers including: online creation of notices with approved eSender status; attachment of tender documents for downloading by suppliers; online clarifications between buyers and suppliers; online submission of tenders by suppliers; site forums for the different sectors involved in public procurement; and comprehensive guidance material. For suppliers there are free email alerts when tenders of interest to them have been advertised, as well as management of their notices and tenders. An online pre-qualification questionnaire facility has also been rolled out.
Selling goods and services
Export (Information and advice)
Responsibility:	Enterprise Ireland
Website:	http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Export-Assistance/
Description:	Enterprise Ireland is a state agency responsible for supporting the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. The website has a dedicated section committed to facilitation of the development of a strong exporting sector by offering flexible solutions to client needs.
Competition between businesses
Irish Law – Legal information systems
Responsibility:	Irish Statute Book
Website:	http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/
Description:	Several websites provide Irish legislation in an electronic form. The electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB) includes Acts of the Oireachtas and Statutory Instruments, the official versions of which remain the printed versions published by Government Publications. The eISB also includes the Legislation Directory. Other sources of Irish information are for example the Irish Legal Information Initiative, or Irish Law Site.

Human Resources

Employment contracts
Contract of employment
Responsibility:	Workplace Relations Commission
Website:	https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/
Description:	Information relating to employment rights, equality and industrial relations matters
Working hours, holiday and leave
Working hours, holiday and leave
Responsibility:	Workplace Relations Commission
Website:	https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/
Description:	Information relating to employment rights, equality and industrial relations matters
Posted workers
Workplace Relations
Responsibility:	Central Government, Workplace Relations Commission
Website:	https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/; https://www.citiznsinformation.ie/en/employment/enforcement and redress/national employment rights authority.html
Description:	The Workplace Relations Commission has responsibility for information provision, workplace advice, mediation, conciliation, adjudication, inspection and enforcement in relation to employment rights, equality and equal status matters and industrial relations. The Labour Court, in addition to providing an appeals mechanism against Adjudication Officer decisions and determinations, establishes Joint Labour Committees, registers Joint Industrial Councils and investigates Trade Disputes affecting the public interest.
Social security and health
Social contributions for employees
Responsibility:	Central Government, Revenue Commissioners, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Website:	https://www.revenue.ie/, www.welfare.ie
Description:	The system allows payment of social contribution (PRSI) and payroll tax (PAYE) by employers, on a monthly/quarterly basis, as required. It also allows for submission of the annual return of employees PAYE and PRSI information. The system is fully compatible with and supports the submission of returns generated from third party software as well as from Revenue supplied forms.
Equal treatment and qualification
Equality in the workplace
Responsibility:	The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission The Workplace Relations Commission
Website:	https://www.ihrec.ie/; https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/
Description:	The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is a statutory body set up to provide information to the public on human rights and equality legislation. It can, at its discretion, provide legal assistance to people who wish to bring claims to the Equality Tribunal. You can find the booklet, Your Employment Equality Rights Explained on ihrec.ie The Workplace Relations Commission is the place to bring a discrimination claim under the Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015 using the online complaint form available on workplacerelations.ie). It investigates or mediates claims of unlawful discrimination under equality legislation.

Product requirements

CE marking, Standards in Europe
National Standards
Responsibility:	National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
Website:	https://www.nsai.ie/
Description:	Exhaustive information on the national standards is available on the website. Comment on standards at http://www.nsainep.ie/; Shop for standards at https://shop.standards.ie/nsai/.
Product rules and specifications
Standards for product labelling
Responsibility:	National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
Website:	https://www.nsai.ie/
Description:	Overview of product labelling standards can be found at https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/ consumer_protection/product_safety_and_labelling/ standards_for_product_labelling.html
Chemicals (REACH)
Irish REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, EU Regulation no 1907/2006) Information point(s)
Responsibility:	Health and Safety Authority
Website:	http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Chemicals/REACH/
Description:	Useful information materials and the text of the national enforcement legislation are available on the website.
Classification, labelling, packaging
Standards for product labelling
Responsibility:	National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
Website:	https://www.nsai.ie/
Description:	Overview of product labelling standards can be found at https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/ consumer_protection/product_safety_and_labelling/ standards_for_product_labelling.html
Energy labels, Eco-design requirements, EU Ecolabel
Environment-related permits (incl. reporting)
Responsibility:	Central Government, Environmental Protection Agency
Website:	http://www.epa.ie/
Description:	Online submission of requests for environment-related permits. The EPA provides customised and segmented information on environmental-related regulation and obligations, regarding both the AER/PRTR and for IPCC, Waste and Waste Water Discharge applications. Applicants can also request a determination as to whether an activity requires a waste licence, waste facility permit, certificate of registration, or none of these at http://www.epa.ie/licensing/licques/article11declarations/.

Finance and funding

Accounting
Regulation of accountants and auditors
Responsibility:	Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority
Website:	https://www.iaasa.ie/
Description:	The Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) is the independent body in Ireland responsible for the: Inspection and promotion of improvements in the quality of auditing of Public Interest Entities; Supervision of how the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies regulate and monitor their members; Oversight of the regulatory functions of the Recognised Accountancy Bodies in relation to statutory auditors; and Examination and enforcement of certain listed entities’ periodic financial reporting.
Making and receiving payments
Regulation of financial services
Responsibility:	Financial Regulator and Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Website:	https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation https://www.ccpc.ie/business/credit-intermediaries/
Description:	Information on regulation of firms providing financial services in Ireland and overseas. Online reporting tools available. The CCPC shares responsibility for the advertising of credit facilities with the Central Bank and have specific responsibility for the authorisation of credit intermediaries and for maintaining the Register of Credit Intermediaries
Getting funding
Enterprise Ireland
Responsibility:	Enterprise Ireland
Website:	http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/
Description:	Enterprise Ireland is a state agency responsible for supporting the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. The website provides detailed information on the process of provision of funding and supports to the companies of different size - from entrepreneurs with business propositions for a high potential start-up through to large companies expanding their activities, improving efficiency and growing international sales.

Dealing with customers

Consumer contracts and guarantees
Contracts and services
Responsibility:	Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Website:	https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/contracts-and-services/contracts-and-services/
Description:	Consumers have rights when they buy or use a service but every case is different and the solution to a problem will depend on the service. The CCPC has information on some of the most common questions about services and contracts including: Gas and electricity; Mobile phones; Landlines; Broadband; TV services; Joining a gym; Concert or match tickets. It also has information on entering into a contract online, over the phone or at a consumer's doorstep, cancelling a contract and what to do if a consumer has a problem with a service.
Solving disputes with customers
Dispute resolution
Responsibility:	Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Website:	https://www.ccpc.ie/
Description:	Guidance to help businesses understand their obligations under law and promotes a culture of compliance The CCPC also has a role in relation to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes that aim to resolve disputes between consumers and traders out-of-court.

The Digital Government Factsheets

The factsheets present an overview of the state and progress of Digital Government European countries.

There are published on the Joinup platform, which is a joint initiative by the Directorate General for Informatics (DG DIGIT) and the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology (DG CONNECT). This factsheet received valuable contribution from the Office of the Government CIO.

W + WAVESTONE–RGB The Digital Government Factsheets are prepared for the European Commission by Wavestone

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Digital Government Factsheet 2019

Ireland

Table of Contents

eProcurement

Base registry coordination

Data Protection

Base registry coordination

Travel

Work and retirement

Vehicles

Residence formalities

Education and youth

Health

Family

Consumers

Running a business

Taxation

Selling in the EU

Human Resources

Product requirements

Finance and funding

Dealing with customers