Public Sector Podcast: Journey from E-Government to Digital Government and Next Steps

In this episode of Public Sector Podcast, we dive into Ireland’s bold and evolving digital government strategy with Barry Lowry, the Government Chief Information Officer. From humble beginnings in e-government to an ambitious, citizen-centred digital transformation, Ireland is reimagining how services are delivered—driven by inclusion, data, and trust.

This candid conversation outlines the country's journey, lessons learned, and what it takes to move from siloed systems to seamless experiences that meet people where they are, both digitally and in real life.

Ireland’s Digital Government Journey

Ireland's transformation story is about more than technology—it's about culture change, governance, and user experience. Barry shares how Ireland has progressed from traditional IT infrastructure to a digitally-enabled, data-driven public service model.

Key elements of Ireland’s approach include:

Strategic Leadership and Oversight
The Office of the Government CIO (OGCIO) leads national digital, data, and professionalisation strategies. It also oversees all public sector projects over €5M—ensuring alignment with Ireland’s digital goals.

Digital Building Blocks
Ireland built foundational enablers such as shared infrastructure, cloud adoption, a national digital ID, and a central portal (gov.ie), now used by 65% of the adult population.

Data Trust and Legislation
With the Data Sharing and Governance Act, Ireland prioritised privacy and responsible data use—earning recognition as one of the most trusted countries in the OECD for data governance.

Key Initiatives and Strategies

Life Events Approach
Ireland is shifting toward services designed around real-life milestones—from birth to bereavement—offering cross-agency coordination and proactive service delivery.

Digital Wallets & EU Alignment
Leveraging EU regulations, Ireland is developing a digital wallet to store identity, licences, and entitlements—aligning with the bloc’s eIDAS standards.

User-First Service Design
Every digital service must be intuitive and inclusive, with content readable at a 12-year-old literacy level. Citizen engagement and co-design are standard.

Agile, Incremental Wins
Working in Agile sprints allows Ireland to showcase quick wins that keep ministers engaged and foster momentum across departments.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Ireland’s digital journey has not been without hurdles:

• Legislative delays can derail otherwise ready-to-launch digital services (e.g., digital driving licences).

• Cultural resistance and risk aversion remain strong in legacy systems and auditing processes.

• Procurement processes and outdated waterfall project management often conflict with agile innovation.

The conversation also references insights from Recoding America by Jennifer Pahlka—highlighting shared international struggles in bridging the gap between policy and execution.

Looking Ahead

Ireland’s latest Program for Government renews its commitment to:

• Deliver life-event-based digital services

• Enable inclusion for all citizens—online and offline

• Advance the national digital wallet initiative

• Embed empathy, agility, and purpose in public sector transformation

The ultimate goal: Free up public servants to provide personalised support to those who need it most, using digital innovation as a force for human-centred service.

Key Takeaways

✅ Digital Government = Culture Shift: True transformation isn’t just about tech—it requires rethinking how government sees itself and serves its people.

✅ Quick Wins Drive Momentum: Agile delivery and regular ministerial engagement keep political will strong.

✅ User Experience is Non-Negotiable: Services must be co-designed, inclusive, and centred around real citizen needs.

✅ Global Challenges, Shared Solutions: Ireland’s story echoes common public sector struggles—offering valuable lessons for governments worldwide.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Ireland is rewriting the playbook for digital government—one life event at a time.