A new report is out from the Irish Government entitled Supporting Public Service Reform eGovernment 2012 – 2015. Particularly welcome are the proposals that :
“Action 13 The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will develop an electronic channel allowing citizens and businesses to suggest potential new eGovernment services and to track progress of their suggestions.
Action 14 Opportunities for users to provide feedback should be integrated into the design of new electronic systems to facilitate suggestions from those that use the systems with a view to ensuring continuous improvement. This feedback could be through the system itself or through links with social media where appropriate.”
But what about the older applications? Have I missed something? All current channels need feedback to assist improvement, along with measurement of usage. Many services will have existing poor e-channels that may be choking the opportunity for electronic service delivery.
As to Open Data, it’s the usual:
“Action 21 All public bodies will publish appropriate data in machine-readable formats to facilitate re-use. Initially this will include data newly released (in reports, on websites etc.). Over time, public bodies should identify additional data that could be released as open data. This action will enable individuals and businesses to use data in ways most helpful to them including developing applications relevant to their own needs and interests.”
But CSV is a machine-readable format, what about RDF and the like?
Interestingly Annex II contains a definition of e-government, which demonstrates willingness to achieve clarity in what the Irish government is attempting to do, if all nations had established a definition, along with some initial benchmarks a substantial part of the international deficit might have been saved. It’s a good report, and shockingly lacking the gloss and spin that one becomes accustomed to in such documents. It’s also given itself a reasonable three years space to work within, which is very practical.
The Great E-mancipator 