Transform Gov - the digital government podcast - Maeve Kneafsey

Why AI relies on human drivers Jul 14, 2026

Episode Highlights:

Crisis Management: Maria's resilience was tested through the COVID crisis and the Ukrainian refugee crisis, where she played a pivotal role in managing the response efforts. Tune in to hear how she used "energy buckets" to build team resilience.
Data Security Challenges: Discussing the ongoing data security issues faced by the HSE, Maria underscores the inevitability of cyber threats and the critical role of the CISO.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration: The Ukrainian refugee crisis required seamless collaboration across multiple departments and organisations, including EY and Microsoft. Discover the complexities of aligning diverse teams to support refugees, such as ensuring access to cancer treatment centres.
Managing Expectations: With a large stakeholder group, prioritising needs and managing expectations were crucial. Maria highlights the importance of plain English communication and open conversations to align everyone's efforts.
AI in Healthcare: Maria emphasises that AI must be driven by clinicians to support healthcare effectively. She shares her involvement with Spunout, a charity using AI to support young people's mental health. She also tell us about the innovative Fastrack to IT apprenticeship program.

💡 Key Takeaways:

The human element is the hardest and most important part of major projects, requiring honest communication and alignment.
Data quality and governance are foundational for successful AI initiatives.
The importance of practical education pathways, like tech apprenticeships, to bridge skills gaps and support lifelong learning.

Join us as Maria McCann shares her invaluable experiences and insights into the world of digital transformation in government

Find out more www.digitalgovawards.com

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Can AI help immigration services without making decisions? Jul 06, 2026

How do you redesign a public service used by people from almost every country in the world?

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Paul Rooney and Roshan Wijesinghe from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration about the Department’s digital contact centre for immigration services.

This is a story about far more than technology.

The Department was dealing with high volumes of applications, fragmented helpdesks, repeated queries, multiple languages, anxious users and staff under pressure. The response was not simply to “build a portal”. It was to redesign the service around users, staff, language, culture, trust and delivery.

The conversation explores:

Why the project was service-design-led, not technology-led
How the Department moved towards a more joined-up applicant view
Why translation is not the same as localisation
How plain English, tone of voice and visuals helped make the service easier to use
How personas helped the team understand both immigration applicants and internal staff
How Microsoft Dynamics, automation and AI-supported tools are helping staff manage information and queries
Why AI is not being used to make immigration decisions
How identity verification helped tackle appointment-booking abuse
Why business-led change management was critical
What other public sector teams can learn from the project

For CIOs, digital leaders, service designers, customer service teams and anyone working on AI or transformation in the public sector, this is a practical look at what digital government really requires: clear purpose, better data, better communication, staff involvement and strong safeguards.

Transform Gov is part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards and is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.

Find out more at www.digitalgovawards.com

Digital government, public sector transformation, Department of Justice, immigration services, AI in government, public sector AI, Microsoft Dynamics, digital contact centre, service design, multilingual services, digital identity, change management, GovTech, Ireland eGovernment Awards, Transform Gov, customer service, public service reform

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Could virtual hospitals replace hospital visits? Jun 22, 2026

What if your next hospital appointment happened from your kitchen table?

In Part 2 of Transform Gov, Professor Derek O'Keeffe explains how Ireland is using digital technology to rethink healthcare delivery — from remote islands to nursing homes, prisons and beyond.

You'll hear how:

*Patients can be monitored safely at home.

*Chronic diseases can be managed before emergencies happen.

*Virtual hospitals are reducing unnecessary admissions.

*AI and robotics could become everyday healthcare tools.

This isn't science fiction.

It's already happening.

Transform Gov is part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards and is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.

Find out more about the Ireland eGovernment Leadership Summit and Awards at:

www.digitalgovawards.com

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe and share.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:33 Why chronic disease is changing healthcare

04:49 Why hospitals aren't designed for chronic illness

07:24 The idea behind the virtual hospital

09:44 Monitoring patients at home

10:58 Virtual wards explained

15:20 The island healthcare project

17:06 Why islands became the perfect test bed

18:37 A patient, a ferry and lambing season

20:06 Scaling the project across Ireland

21:41 Nursing homes, prisons and remote care

24:23 International interest from Australia

25:21 AI, robotics and the future of healthcare

27:48 Why innovation requires resilience

29:02 Final thoughts

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Could drones deliver your medicine? Jun 16, 2026

What if the biggest challenge in healthcare wasn't medicine...

...but getting the right people to work together?

In Part 1 of this fascinating conversation, Professor Derek O'Keeffe — consultant endocrinologist, engineer and founder of the Hive Lab at the University of Galway — explains why solving healthcare problems often starts outside the hospital.

From delivering medicines by drone after Storm Ophelia, to creating smart connected medical devices and bringing engineers and clinicians together, this is a story about practical innovation that is already changing lives.

In this episode:

• Why Derek calls himself a "physicianeer"

• Why healthcare is full of engineering problems

• The remarkable drone medicine delivery project

• Why regulation is often a bigger challenge than technology

• The story behind the "digital stent"

• Why the best innovations start with a real human problem

This isn't a conversation about gadgets.

It's about using technology to make public services work better.

Transform Gov is part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards and is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.

Find out more about this year's Leadership Summit and Awards at:

www.digitalgovawards.com

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe and share.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:35 What is a "physicianeer"?

03:20 From engineering to medicine

05:12 Why healthcare is full of problems to solve

08:15 Why technology isn't the difficult part

10:48 "The technology is easy. The people are hard."

11:24 The idea that led to medicine delivery by drone

13:18 Aviation, pharmacy and regulation

16:05 Building the Hive Lab

18:42 Collaboration between engineers and clinicians

21:15 The digital stent project

24:10 The garden hose moment

26:40 Why innovation often stays in the drawer

28:50 Making technology work for people

31:00 Final thoughts

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The first COVID dashboard didn't exist... until Ireland had about two weeks to build it. Jun 09, 2026

Justin Gleeson explains how a small team from government, Maynooth University and Ordnance Survey Ireland came together in March 2020 to create the platform that millions of us watched every evening behind Tony Holohan.

A fascinating story about what can happen when technology, data and public service all pull in the same direction.

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How Galway digitised 1,000 townlands — and put local heritage on the world map Jun 02, 2026

What happens when local heritage meets digital innovation?

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, and Brídín Feeney from the GIS team at Galway County Council.

Winners of the 2025 Ireland eGovernment Open Data Award, their StoryMaps project is transforming how communities discover, preserve and share local heritage.

From digitising more than 1,000 townlands to helping local communities tell their own stories, this project demonstrates how open data, GIS technology and community engagement can deliver real public value.

The conversation explores:

• Why traditional booklets were no longer enough

• Using GIS and StoryMaps technology to connect people with place

• Building digital skills within communities

• The role of open data in preserving heritage

• Creating pride of place through technology

• How a local project attracted international interest

Transform Gov is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.

Find out more about the Ireland eGovernment Awards:

www.digitalgovawards.com

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What if the biggest barrier to suicide prevention is fear? May 21, 2026

Fear of saying the wrong thing.
Fear of making things worse.
Fear of even starting the conversation.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Ailish O’Neill from the HSE’s National Suicide Prevention Office about “Let’s Talk About Suicide” — the winner of the 2025 Ireland eGovernment Education Award.

This is a digital learning programme designed to help ordinary people recognise signs of suicidal distress and feel confident enough to step in and help.

But this conversation goes far beyond technology.

It explores:

• Why lived experience completely changed the design of the programme

• How language and tone can determine whether people engage or switch off

• Why online learning was the right solution for a deeply sensitive subject

• How digital tools can build confidence — not just awareness

• What public sector teams can learn about communication, trust, and behaviour change

One insight stands out:

Many people taking the training were already worried about someone in their lives.

That changes everything.

Transform Gov is part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards and is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.

To read more about free, accessible suicide prevention training from the HSE, or to enrol in Let’s Talk About Suicide, visit www.nosp.ie/training.

This episode includes discussion about suicide and self-harm, which some listeners might find challenging or upsetting. If you, or someone you know needs support, visit the HSE website www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on mental health, minding yourself and others, and to find services or supports.
Samaritans are also available anytime day or night for support, on freephone 116 123.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Why the programme was created during COVID

04:10 Why suicide prevention training is different

07:20 Designing learning that builds confidence

10:15 The power of lived experience

15:05 “We get it now” — the turning point for developers

18:40 Fear of saying the wrong thing

22:10 Real-world stories and impact

25:00 What other public sector teams can learn

28:00 What happens next

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From paper forms to AI: 23 years that completely rewired Ireland's Public Services May 15, 2026

What actually happens when a country decides to digitise itself?

Not the theory. Not the strategy decks. The real story.

Over 23 years, Ireland’s public sector has gone from:

• Paper forms, post and phone calls

• To online transactions people trust

• To fully integrated, citizen-first services

• And now… cautiously stepping into AI

This episode is a rare step back — a straight, honest look at what changed, what worked, and what didn’t.

You’ll hear:

• Why early “digital” projects were little more than brochure websites

• The moment citizens finally trusted online government services

• The internal battles — fiefdoms, silos and systems that wouldn’t talk to each other

• How collaboration became the biggest shift of all

• Why “citizen-first” wasn’t always the mindset — and how that changed

• The truth about AI in government — less hype, more caution

And crucially — what all of that means for what comes next.

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From 3,000 to 18,000 applications — how the State rebuilt a system under pressure May 08, 2026

Two years and nine months.

That’s how long people were waiting in the system — until everything had to change.

What happens when a public service built for 3,000 applications a year suddenly faces over 18,000?

That was the reality facing Ireland’s International Protection Office — a system under intense pressure, with growing backlogs, long delays, and real human consequences.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks to Emer Mullins and Daniel Drennan, the team behind a transformation programme that didn’t just improve a service — it fundamentally redesigned it.

From paper files that could stretch the length of a room…to fully digital workflows, online interviews, and real-time data dashboards…

this is a story of what it actually takes to deliver change inside the public service — at scale, under pressure, and in real time.

You’ll hear:

What the system looked like before — and why it wasn’t sustainable
How they rebuilt processes before introducing technology
What changed for staff — and for applicants
How decisions increased dramatically without simply adding more people
What other public sector teams can learn from this

This is not theory.

This is real delivery.

🎧 Listen now — and if it resonates, share it with someone working on transformation.

Chapters

00:00 — Welcome to Transform Gov

01:20 — What the International Protection Office actually does

02:30 — The surge: from 3,000 to 18,000 applications

04:44 — The “before”: paper, delays and pressure

06:44 — Waiting times: up to 2 years and 9 months

08:21 — The complexity: multiple agencies involved

10:07 — The tipping point — why change was unavoidable

11:25 — Where the transformation started

13:45 — Scaling up: staff, infrastructure and process

15:27 — From paper to digital — the reality on the ground

20:40 — Digitising 35,000+ case files

22:20 — Online interviews — what changed

25:49 — Time saved, faster decisions, real outcomes

27:30 — Preparing for new EU migration rules

29:39 — A fully digital applicant journey

32:38 — Data, dashboards and decision-making

34:59 — Lessons for other public sector teams

39:21 — What comes next

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What judges actually look for — straight from the head judge Apr 29, 2026

An insider's guide to a brilliant entry for the Ireland eGovernment Awards

Most teams think awards are about technology, scale, or budget.

They’re not.

On this episode of Transform Gov, we sit down with Declan Tuite, Head Judge of the Ireland eGovernment Awards, and Maeve Kneafsey, to break down what really separates winning entries from the rest.

Why strong projects fall short.

What judges are actually looking for.

And how to turn your work into a clear, compelling entry.

Because here’s the truth:

The difference between winning and losing is often not the project —

it’s how it’s explained.

If you’re planning to enter the Ireland eGovernment Awards 2026, start here.

Ready to enter? You can find step-by-step guides to entry on our website https://digitalgovawards.com/enter/resources/

Chapters

00:00 – Why this episode matters: helping you win

00:30 – Entries now open: key dates and deadlines

01:10 – Meet the head judge: Declan Tuite

02:00 – The #1 mistake applicants make

02:40 – It’s not the tech — it’s the story

03:20 – What judges actually look for

04:00 – Before and after: showing real impact

04:40 – Proof, not promises: using stats and evidence

05:30 – Who is the user? Why it matters

06:10 – Avoid this: jargon and over-explaining

06:50 – Innovation vs real-world results

07:30 – Picking the right category (and why it matters)

08:20 – Start early: why timing improves your entry

09:00 – Using supporting documents and visuals

09:40 – Writing clearly: answering the actual questions

10:20 – What makes an entry stand out

11:10 – Small projects can win (and do)

12:00 – Step-by-step: how to enter online

13:10 – Register, save, refine: how the system works

14:00 – Entering multiple categories

14:50 – What happens after you submit

16:00 – Final advice from the head judge

17:00 – Deadline reminder and key dates

18:00 – Why you should enter (even if unsure)

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Ireland is leaving €8 billion on the table — and this is why Apr 24, 2026

In Part 2 of this Transform Gov conversation, Marie Wallace (Accenture) moves beyond the concept of digital identity — and explains what it actually means in practice for service delivery, cost, and efficiency.

The headline figure? Up to €8 billion in economic impact for Ireland.

But the real story is where that value comes from:

removing manual verification from services
eliminating repeated onboarding across organisations
reducing friction across life events
and integrating identity directly into business processes

From passports to healthcare to supply chains, this is a look at how identity sits at the centre of service transformation.

And why fixing it could change everything.

Get the full report The Identity Economy https://forms.office.com/r/fqCBsvQRv3

Chapters

00:00 Bringing digital identity into real-world impact

01:18 €8bn — where the number comes from

01:56 Manual verification — the hidden problem

02:46 Repeating data across services

03:06 Life events — why services don’t connect

04:53 Personalised services explained

05:47 Data control and AI at the edge

08:46 Fraud, deepfakes and verification

12:01 Where the biggest gains are (health, pensions, services)

13:38 Ireland’s opportunity and readiness

15:48 What governments must do next

18:04 What could derail progress

21:28 What changes over the next 3–5 years

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Why you keep filling out the same forms — and why it’s about to end Apr 16, 2026

Digital identity is often talked about — but rarely understood in practical terms.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Marie Wallace, Managing Director and Global Lead for Digital Identities at Accenture, about what is broken in how we prove who we are today — and what is changing.

From repeatedly filling out forms to sharing far more personal data than necessary, Marie explains why current identity systems are no longer fit for purpose — and how digital wallets and selective data sharing could transform how citizens access services.

This conversation focuses on:

Why identity systems are fragmented and inefficient
How digital wallets give citizens more control over their data
What “selective sharing” actually looks like in practice
How trust is changing in a digital world
The risks if identity systems are implemented badly

In Part 2 we explore the economic impact and what this means for Ireland.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to digital identity and control of data

01:12 What digital identity actually means (and why it’s broken)

02:14 Why sharing too much data is a problem

03:02 Marie’s background in AI and data privacy

04:07 Why centralised data creates risk

06:18 AI, deepfakes and the growing identity challenge

07:50 Designing better identity into public services

09:11 Why identity isn’t reusable today

10:02 Public concern around biometrics and data

11:09 Breaking down silos between public and private services

12:27 The real problem: forms, friction and delays

13:26 What governments need to build (trust + wallets)

14:57 Trust frameworks and verification explained

16:27 EU regulation and what happens next

17:47 Who owns identity in this model

19:13 Efficiency and cost impact (part 2)

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What if the biggest risk facing the public service right now… is not using AI at all? Apr 09, 2026

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey sits down with Malcolm Byrne TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, to unpack what has actually changed — and why the pace of change is now the real issue.

From courts using AI for real-time translation… to Revenue analysing thousands of tax codes… to the uncomfortable truth that other countries are already moving faster — this is not a future conversation. It’s happening now.

And the question is simple: are we ready?

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How smart public services are winning back users — with one simple design shift Apr 01, 2026

COVID changed how people engage with online services — permanently.

The organisations that adapted are now seeing better engagement, better access, better outcomes.

The rest are still catching up.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Aoife Prendergast of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), whose team won the Universal Design category at the Ireland eGovernment Awards 2025.

What they discovered is something every CIO, digital leader, and public service provider needs to hear:

People have changed.

Since COVID, expectations have shifted:

always-on
bite-sized
easy to use

Most services haven’t caught up.

Aoife’s team did.

They spotted the gap, redesigned using Universal Design, boosted engagement — and unlocked new funding and global collaboration.

This isn’t compliance.

It’s whether your service gets used at all.

Key Topics

Universal Design in public services
Digital transformation in higher education
Public sector accessibility strategy
Citizen engagement post-COVID
Service design and UX in government
Inclusive digital services Ireland
eGovernment Awards Ireland
TUS (Technological University of the Shannon)
Accessibility vs usability

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The system that was failing vulnerable children — and the fix that changed everything Mar 24, 2026

This is not a tech story.

This is a human story.

Before this system existed, vulnerable children could wait weeks for access to childcare — stuck in a maze of emails, forms, and approvals.

Now? Minutes.

On this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Ruth Shortall (POBAL) and Ciarán Madden (Department of Children) about the system that:

Cut waiting times from 3 weeks to minutes
Connected multiple agencies into one seamless flow
Removed friction for frontline workers under pressure
And quietly transformed outcomes for families at critical moments

This is what real digital transformation looks like.

Not flashy.

Not theoretical.

But life-changing.

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What smart cities know about you before you do | Alice Charles | Transform Gov Mar 13, 2026

What if a city already knew your child was starting school — and simply sent you a text asking if you agreed with the proposed school?

That already happens in Helsinki.

In this episode of Transform Gov, infrastructure expert Alice Charles from Arup explains how some cities are using data, digital twins and AI to plan transport, housing and infrastructure far more intelligently.

You will hear:

How Helsinki predicts school demand using data
Why digital twins allow cities to test developments instantly
Why surveys often get transport data wrong
How Copenhagen paid for its metro by building housing around stations
Why Dublin sometimes loses international meetings to cities with better transport
How electricity data can reveal vacant homes

This conversation shows how data is quietly changing how cities function.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:05 Helsinki’s predictive public services

04:00 Digital twins explained

05:30 Why visual planning wins public support

06:30 AI and planning systems

08:40 Human intelligence vs AI

11:10 Why surveys fail

12:10 Copenhagen’s real cycling data

15:30 MetroLink and global infrastructure firms

17:30 Metro funding through housing

20:40 Why Dublin loses business to Amsterdam

23:30 All-island infrastructure planning

26:00 Finding vacant homes using electricity data

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The AI race is really an energy and water race Mar 06, 2026

AI may dominate the headlines — but the real race is happening somewhere else.

Energy. Water. Data infrastructure.

On this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Alice Charles, Director at Arup and former World Economic Forum infrastructure lead, about the global competition shaping the future of cities, economies and governments.

Alice explains why the AI boom is triggering what some leaders are calling the largest infrastructure build-out in history.

And why the foundations of AI are not software — but power grids, water systems and data centres.

In this conversation:

• Why the AI race between the US and China is really about infrastructure

• Why AI requires massive increases in energy and water

• Why Ireland’s climate gives it an unexpected advantage for data centres

• Why smart city projects failed when they focused on technology instead of citizens

• Why governments must move from planning to delivery

Alice also reflects on lessons from the World Economic Forum, global infrastructure investment, and the strategic decisions countries must make to compete in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

If AI is the future — the question is simple:

Do we have the infrastructure to support it?

Digital Government Infrastructure, AI infrastructure, Data centres, Energy transition, Urban development, Smart cities, Public sector innovation

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Inside Dublin City Council’s AI Lab Feb 20, 2026

What does AI actually look like inside a local authority?

In this episode of Transform Gov, Dublin City Council’s AI Lab team — Khizer Ahmed Biyabani and Richie Shakespeare — explain how they are moving beyond AI hype to deliver practical tools that improve consistency, save time and build trust.

From preventing contradictory council answers to searching decades of records in seconds, they share what works, what doesn’t, and why 80% of AI success comes down to data.

Why Listen

How AI prevents conflicting public-sector responses
Turning 1990s PDFs into instant search results
Training 500+ staff and shifting sentiment from fear to confidence
Why data readiness matters more than the AI itself

Timeline

00:00 — What the AI Lab is and why it exists

03:30 — Why a sandbox approach matters

11:30 — Training 500+ staff and changing AI sentiment

21:27 — “Ctrl+F on steroids”: AI for council questions

22:04 — Searching records back to the 1990s

24:29 — The truth: data preparation is 80% of the work

27:00 — Building control use cases and operational impact

32:40 — Scaling AI safely in local government

AI in government, digital transformation, local government innovation, generative AI, public sector technology, Ireland eGovernment Awards, smart cities, data governance

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Quantum computing could upend how governments plan, model and decide — sooner than expected Feb 12, 2026

Quantum computing is often described as “next-generation” technology — but according to Equal1 CEO Jason Lynch, it’s much closer, more practical, and more relevant to government than most people realise.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Jason explains quantum computing in plain English, why it follows AI rather than replaces it, and how it could transform public services — from climate modelling and flooding prediction to healthcare, logistics and national infrastructure planning.

We also explore why waiting until quantum “arrives” may already be too late for CIOs, and what public-sector leaders should be doing now to prepare.

Topic timeline

00:01 – What quantum computing actually is (without the jargon)
03:10 – Why AI is hitting limits: energy, cost and sustainability
04:30 – Healthcare, drugs and why we still don’t know how paracetamol works
06:20 – Optimisation problems governments can’t solve today
08:00 – Why Equal1’s data-centre approach changes everything
11:40 – Why ESA became Equal1’s first customer
15:40 – What CIOs should be planning for now
17:50 – Quantum, security and post-quantum cryptography
20:40 – Digital sovereignty and Europe’s quantum future
25:00 – What citizens may notice in five years’ time

quantum computing explained, quantum computing government, public sector technology, digital government podcast, future of computing, AI and quantum, government innovation

what is quantum computing, how quantum computing affects government, quantum vs AI, when will quantum computing be used, quantum computing public services

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Why telling people what to do doesn’t work Feb 04, 2026

What if improving health didn’t start with another campaign telling people what to do?

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Stephen McPeake, founder of Civic Dollars, about a practical, community-led way councils and health bodies are encouraging healthier behaviour — and actually seeing results.

Stephen explains why incentives often work better than awareness campaigns, why people push back when they’re told what to do, and how councils and health bodies are using Civic Dollars to improve wellbeing, support local businesses, and strengthen communities.

A smart listen for anyone working in public health, local government, or digital transformation.

Topics

00:00 – 01:00

Why public services struggle to change behaviour

01:00 – 03:00

A simple idea: rewarding people for time outdoors

03:00 – 05:30

How health activity turns into community impact

05:30 – 09:00

Using incentives instead of prescriptions

09:00 – 12:10

Why public health campaigns don’t work

12:10 – 15:00

Why place matters more than apps

15:00 – 19:00

How innovation gets stuck in pilot mode

19:00 – 27:00

What councils get, what it costs, and what’s next

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AI can now fake identity Jan 26, 2026

AI can already create near-perfect replicas of passports, utility bills and other identity documents — good enough to bypass many existing checks.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Dr Hitesh Tewari, Professor at Trinity College Dublin and researcher at the ADAPT Centre, about what this means for public services that rely on digital identity, from welfare and healthcare to licensing and payments.

They explore:

Why traditional KYC approaches are no longer sufficient
How fraud becomes dangerous when it becomes scalable
How zero-knowledge proof can allow verification without over-sharing data
How blockchain can support trust, not speculation
Lessons from real-world projects in energy, voting and healthcare data

A practical, risk-focused conversation for those responsible for digital public services.

Key topics

01:25 – AI-generated identity documents and KYC risk
06:30 – Why scalable fraud changes everything
10:45 – What blockchain is (and is not) for government
13:50 – Zero-knowledge proof explained simply
19:40 – Tackling greenwashing with better energy attribution
22:15 – Healthcare data, silos and trust
25:50 – What’s coming next: opportunities and risks

Digital identity, AI fraud, KYC, public sector technology, digital government, blockchain, zero-knowledge proof, cybersecurity, trust in government, ADAPT Centre, Trinity College Dublin

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How to design digital government for everyone Jan 16, 2026

Digital services only work if everyone can use them.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Donal Fitzpatrick and Shivaali Scully from the National Disability Authority about accessibility, universal design and the fast-emerging role of AI in public services.

They explore if AI can remove barriers for people with disabilities, where serious risks around bias and privacy remain, and why involving users early in design is the single most important factor in getting digital services right.

The conversation ranges from real-world examples of AI supporting accessibility, to the impact of the European Accessibility Act, and why Ireland is emerging as a global leader in universal design.

This is a must-listen for anyone designing, commissioning or delivering digital services in the public or private sector.

Timeline / Topics

00:00 – Why accessibility is central to digital government
03:00 – AI and accessibility: opportunity versus risk
06:30 – Why user voices must shape design from day one
09:30 – Privacy, bias and the limits of AI
17:00 – European Accessibility Act explained
23:00 – Ireland’s leadership in universal design
34:00 – The Universal Design Grand Challenge and future talent

Accessibility, Universal Design, AI in Government, Digital Public Services, Inclusion, European Accessibility Act, Public Sector Innovation, Transform Gov

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Is government structurally ready for the digital age? OGCIO behind the scenes Jan 07, 2026

This is a frank conversation about pace, legislation, risk culture, and delivery at scale — and why digital reform will stall unless governments change how decisions are made, not just what they build.

Part 2 of Transform Gov, Dr Tony Shannon, Head of Digital Services at Ireland’s Office of the Government CIO. This interview goes beyond strategy and confronts the real constraints holding back public-sector transformation.

Tony explains why:

the machinery of government is not yet fit for the digital age
legislation itself must become “digital-ready”
life-event based services require cross-government ownership
Ireland has a unique opportunity to lead between EU regulation and US innovation

This episode will resonate with anyone responsible for delivery, governance, funding, architecture, or reform in the public sector.

Part 2 of 2

Presented by Maeve Kneafsey

Transform Gov – part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards, in partnership with Accenture

Key moments

01:45 – Why 2030 is the end of the digital decade, not the start
04:30 – Life events, building blocks and shared ownership
07:00 – Digital public infrastructure explained
11:25 – Ireland’s position between EU regulation and US innovation
17:00 – Why the machinery of government is not yet fit for the digital age
18:30 – The case for digital-ready legislation

Key subjects: public sector digital transformation, government CIO, digital government Ireland, life events strategy, digital public infrastructure, govtech, public service reform, digital legislation, OGCIO, Transform Gov podcast

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The doctor helping to rewire how Ireland delivers public services Dec 17, 2025

Dr Tony Shannon, Head of Digital Services in Ireland’s Office of the Government CIO, shares his remarkable journey from emergency medicine to the front line of digital government.

He shares why healthcare’s chaos taught him how to fix complex systems, how the NHS’s multi-billion-pound IT failure shaped his thinking, and why now—in his words—“is a moment that matters and a decade that matters.”

Expect insight, urgency and practical lessons for anyone who believes public services can, and must, work better for people and planet.

Part 1 of 2.

Listen for:

How a doctor’s pattern-recognition mindset applies to digital reform
What went wrong with the NHS national IT programme
The three-way equation of People + Process + Technology
Why the pandemic briefly showed how agile government can be
Why risk-aversion, if left unchallenged, will cost us all

Digital transformation, public sector innovation, Ireland eGovernment, Tony Shannon, OGCIO, Maeve Kneafsey, healthcare informatics, open source, agile delivery, leadership, government reform, risk culture, digital public services, data, AI in government, life-event strategy

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From endless pilots to real progress Dec 10, 2025

How do great ideas in healthcare move from pilot projects to everyday practice?

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey talks with Louise (Lou) O’Hare, Assistant National Director at the Sláintecare Transformation and Innovation Office, about how the Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund (SIF) is creating a clear pathway for innovation across Ireland’s health system.

Lou shares how the new Health Innovation Framework will ensure promising solutions — from clinician-led ideas to community telehealth — can move from proof of concept to full rollout, with proper governance, funding, and scaling support.

We hear the story behind the Healthy Islands Project, how AI and innovation hubs are shaping the future of care, and what’s next for collaboration between Spark, HSE innovators, and digital health leaders.

Sláintecare, HSE innovation, healthcare transformation Ireland, digital health, health technology, Spark Fund, SIF, health innovation framework, healthcare governance, telehealth, clinician innovation, HSE leadership, healthcare transformation podcast

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Joined-up by design: How Ireland’s largest dept. is re-thinking digital services around real life events Dec 02, 2025

In this episode, Maeve Kneafsey talks with Paula Lyons, Ass. Secretary and Head of Service Development at the Department of Social Protection, about how her team is redesigning services around life events like having a child, retirement, or bereavement.

They discuss:

Why DSP’s philosophy is “digital by desire”, not by force
How citizen trust and data sharing are unlocking connected services
The next generation of online welfare and pension services

A must-listen for anyone shaping digital government and citizen-first transformation.

Subscribe now for personal email updates www.digitalgovawards.com

01:05 – What motivates Paula to stay in public service

10:00 – How “Digital by Desire” became DSP’s guiding principle

24:05 – Designing services around real life events

29:30 – AI pilots and the future of digital service delivery

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How digital twins could solve Ireland’s housing emergency and end paper planning Nov 21, 2025

Ireland is preparing radical moves to accelerate housing delivery. But what if the real breakthrough doesn’t come from policy — but from technology?

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey meets Gavin Duffy, Founder & CEO of RealSim, the Irish company building ultra-accurate 3D digital twins of real towns, cities, and infrastructure.

Gavin explains how immersive planning tools can speed up decisions, reduce objections, and help councils and agencies build better homes and infrastructure, faster.

From Jersey to Fingal and Balbriggan, this is a masterclass in practical digital transformation for public planning and housing delivery.

Digital twin Ireland, housing emergency Ireland, planning reform Ireland, public-sector innovation, RealSim, Gavin Duffy, Maeve Kneafsey, Transform Gov, Fingal County Council, Balbriggan regeneration, Jersey planning model, e-planning Ireland, 3D planning tools, Irish housing delivery, local authority innovation.

00:00 – Why Ireland’s housing emergency needs new tools

04:30 – What RealSim actually does in plain English

08:10 – Lessons from Jersey’s planning transformation

14:00 – Why Irish planning is still PDF-first

18:40 – Balbriggan case study

25:00 – How digital twins reduce objections

30:40 – What councils need to adopt digital twins

35:30 – The future: national digital twin for Ireland

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Why kids can't skip skipping Nov 11, 2025

Childhood movement skills — hopping, skipping, throwing, catching — have collapsed globally. But one Irish spin-out is changing that story.

Dr Jamie McGann, co-founder of MoveAhead, joins Maeve Kneafsey on Transform Gov to reveal how his Dublin-based team built the world’s largest dataset of children’s movement, and how it’s now driving apps, curricula, and classrooms from Ireland to China.

In this award-winning collaboration with Smart D8, MoveAhead helps teachers objectively assess movement, personalise PE through AI, and bring physical literacy back into the heart of education.

Learn how Irish innovation can tackle one of the biggest health and education challenges of our time.

Listen, share, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — or watch on YouTube UC8jdqo_NbX6BHmkTynUdWJw.

Kinder Joy of Moving, Kinder App, Smart D8, Dublin City University, DCU, Sport Ireland, NCCA, Irish EdTech, Global Child Health, Movement Skills, AI in Education

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When AI starts to act: Alan Smeaton on the future of Government Oct 30, 2025

Can AI make decisions, not just suggestions? Professor Alan Smeaton — DCU researcher, Government AI Advisory Council member and builder of Ireland’s first AI teaching assistant — explains what agentic AI really means and why Estonia is blazing ahead and already using it in classrooms. He tells host Maeve Kneafsey why Ireland can’t afford to wait, how data can save citizens money, and why AI literacy must become a national skill and future economic stability and growth.

[00:00] When AI starts to act

[06:00] Teaching the machines that teach us

[13:00] Estonia’s national rollout

[22:00] What is Agentic AI?

[30:00] Why AI literacy matters now

Agentic AI, Artificial Intelligence in Government, Digital Government, Public Sector Transformation, Generative AI, AI Literacy, Alan Smeaton, DCU, AI Advisory Council Ireland, Estonia Digital Government, Ireland eGovernment Awards, Accenture Public Sector, Transform Gov Podcast, Ireland, Europe

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A new Golden Age of Infrastructure: Huda As’ad on data, AI and building better for citizens Oct 22, 2025

From leading roles in the London 2012 Olympics to advising governments on next-generation infrastructure, Huda As’ad of Accenture believes we’re entering a new golden age — where AI, data, and digital twins redefine how nations build, maintain, and sustain public infrastructure.

In this episode of Transform Gov, she explains how technology can cut waste, enhance safety, and build public trust in delivery.

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How predictive tech is cutting public infrastructure costs by 25% Oct 15, 2025

From the London Olympics to Ireland’s National Development Plan — Huda As’ad, Managing Director for Capital Projects & Infrastructure at Accenture, shares how data, AI, and digital twins are reshaping how nations build and maintain public assets.

Learn how predictive analytics is saving 25% on maintenance costs, how transparency builds trust, and why “fail fast, learn fast” is the new rule for public projects that deliver real outcomes.

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Richard Corbridge: Breaking Barriers in Digital Transformation — from NHS & HSE to Global Industry Oct 01, 2025

A conversation with one of the Ireland’s and UK's most influential CIOs on people-first transformation, AI in action, and why governance makes or breaks digital change.

Richard Corbridge has led some of the biggest digital transformations in health, government and retail — from Ireland’s HSE and the NHS to Boots, the UK’s Department for Work & Pensions, and now property giant Segro. In this episode, Richard shares what it takes to keep technology people-first, how to make AI deliver real outcomes, and why governance and culture shape the CIO role more than ever. A must-listen for digital leaders navigating transformation in both the public and private sector.

Key Topics for CIOs

People-first digital transformation — why “citizen, patient, customer or colleague” all come first, not the tech.
The evolving CIO role — moving from “the basement” to the boardroom, and why CIOs must be catalysts and foundations for change.
AI in the public sector — lessons from the UK Dept. of Work & Pensions on using AI to read 24,000 handwritten letters daily and deliver help in 24 hours instead of 4 weeks.
Avoiding AI hype — how to stop “AI for AI’s sake” and pick the right problems to solve.
Governance that enables speed — why private sector governance delivers faster transformation and what public sector can learn.
Agile vs. perfection — “Don’t let great be the enemy of good” in digital deployment.
Building digital talent pipelines — attracting and developing IT professionals in public service, and tackling diversity and generational gaps.
Cross-sector insights — how lessons from health, retail, government and industry overlap and inform each other.
Future vision for public services — joined-up government, once-only data use, and seamless citizen experience.
Personal side of leadership — balancing life as CIO with a thousand-strong vinyl collection and a “collector’s mindset.”

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From worst broadband to digital pioneers Sep 09, 2025

When the National Broadband Plan reached Longford, Danny Lynch and his team turned a rural challenge into a digital revolution. Partnering with Microsoft and Ericsson, they introduced hundreds of schoolchildren to coding, built new digital career pathways, and helped transform Longford into a hub of opportunity. Discover how a small county became a big player in Ireland’s public-sector digital transformation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From fear to confidence: how Ireland’s updated AI Guidelines are transforming public services Aug 26, 2025

AI in government has shifted from “don’t touch it” to “how fast can we scale it?” In this episode of Transform Gov, host Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Marianne Cassidy of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform about Ireland’s updated AI guidelines—designed not to restrict, but to empower.

Discover how cross-functional teams (from HR to legal to CIOs) shaped practical frameworks and decision tools; why real use cases—from Revenue, Agriculture and the HSE—were the turning point; how the IPA is embedding AI into CPD and leadership training; and why trust, GDPR compliance and collaboration are critical to scaling safe, human-centric AI across the public sector.

If you work in digital transformation, service design, or policy innovation, this is a must-listen: insights, examples, and lessons you can apply right now.

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From 40+ interactions with Government for one life-event: Marianne Cassidy on Ireland’s Digital Public Service Plan 2030 Aug 14, 2025

Maeve Kneafsey talks to Marianne Cassidy (DPER) about Ireland’s Digital Public Service Plan to 2030.

Life-event lens: births, social housing, driving, becoming a student
Governance: hybrid model for cross-department ownership
Design process: user research, journey mapping, Target Operating Models
Impact: cutting 40+ steps from the birth journey
Tech: “skin-over-legacy” for seamless front-end experience
Inclusion: designing for amplified needs via Nimbus Centre partnerships

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How Ireland’s 31 Local Authorities are creating one digital front door – Sabahat Khan, LGMA Aug 06, 2025

🎧 What happens when 31 local authorities decide to act as one? Sabahat Khan, Assistant CEO and CIO of the LGMA, joins Transform Gov to reveal how they're reshaping Ireland’s local government services through design-led, citizen-first digital transformation.

From standardising services to building trust and rolling out a national SOC, this is digital reform with teeth. Tune in now for practical insight, big vision, and what it takes to get 31 moving parts working as one.

🔗 Listen here or watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Transformthedigitalgover-123/videos

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RTÉ’s bold formula: short clips + better platforms Jul 21, 2025

What if the secret to protecting your core services was giving away content on other platforms? And what if public trust hinged on the accessibility of your apps?

In Part 2, RTÉ’s Tracey Diamond and Joe Hoban reveal how Ireland’s national broadcaster:

Used short-form content to amplify traditional TV and radio
Made user experience and accessibility central to rebuilding trust
Navigates AI’s promise and pitfalls in public service media
Delivers lessons every public sector team should hear

🎧 Essential for leaders shaping digital government.

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How RTÉ rebuilt public trust after crisis | Transform Gov podcast Jul 09, 2025

RTÉ’s Joe Hoban and Tracey Diamond share how their award-finalist campaign “We’re here to be better, for you” became the start of a new era for public service media.

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey asks:

✔️ Why did RTÉ choose to go public with such a bold message?

✔️ How can public organisations communicate honestly without making things worse?

✔️ What role does digital strategy play in winning back younger audiences?

✔️ How can you create impact on a minimal budget?

Watch for practical insights every public sector leader and communications team can use — whether you’re facing a crisis or building public trust from the ground up.

Subscribe for more stories of public sector transformation and innovation www.digitalgovawards.com

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Cyber resilience lessons from Accenture’s Global and Ireland Security Leads Jun 30, 2025

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey welcomes Jacky Fox, Global Lead for Accenture’s Security Practice, and Chris Davey, Security Lead for Accenture Ireland. They unpack:

The hardest cyber challenges in public services today
Why legacy IT and shadow cloud matter more than you think
Winning the human factor: awareness, culture and insider risk
How AI, automation & threat intelligence are reshaping defence
Practical, scalable actions any public-sector CIO can take

Essential listening for transformation leaders and tech providers aiming to build cyber trust in government.

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AI you can trust: Why cognitive AI is built for public sector truth Jun 24, 2025

John Callaghan of Partsol explains why Cognitive AI is not just another GenAI tool — it’s a purpose-built engine designed for absolute traceability, source transparency, and auditability.

If you're in government, regulation, justice, or compliance — this one’s for you.

This episode reveals:

*Why “hallucinations” make GenAI risky for public services

*How Cognitive AI guarantees evidence-based outputs

*Real examples from defence, legal, and government sectors

*Why public servants should demand AI that can be cross-examined

*How this tech enables decision support without losing control

Whether you're drafting legislation, handling appeals, or working in regulatory environments — this is the kind of AI that works with you, not around you.

🎧 Listen now and discover what explainable, defensible AI really looks like.

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Inside the AI trust gap: what the public really thinks, with Tom Johnson of Trajectory Jun 16, 2025

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey is joined by Tom Johnson, MD of insight consultancy Trajectory, to explore what the public really thinks about AI — and the answers might surprise you.

From rising fears about deepfakes to the surprising number of people who still haven’t heard of generative AI, Tom shares exclusive research tracking public sentiment across the UK. You’ll hear why older adults and women are more cautious, how AI is already shaping public services invisibly, and what 75% of people actually agree on when it comes to regulation.

If you work in government, tech, or service design — this episode is a must-listen. Because in the race to implement AI, forgetting public opinion could be the costliest mistake of all.

AI public opinion, trust in AI, digital government, AI and public services, Tom Johnson Trajectory, Transform Gov podcast, AI regulation UK, AI and demographics, AI in public sector

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Two Extremes. Pedal power and AI solving transport problems Jun 10, 2025

In this episode of Transform Gov, we explore how Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is rethinking infrastructure management with cutting-edge tech. Stephen Smyth and Gerard O'Dea share how their team is using AI tools like RoadAI and eventually crowdsourced mobile footage to monitor over 1,700km of greenways and footpaths — all with low-cost, scalable tech.

From a phone on a bike to a national data strategy, hear how innovation is driving efficiency, sustainability, and smarter public sector planning. Don’t miss their insights on data governance, citizen-generated content, and what's next for smart mobility in Ireland.

Subscribe (www.digitalgovawards.com) and listen now to learn how public sector innovation is hitting the road.

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AI spotting fractures. 50,000 hours saved. Ireland’s digital health shift is no longer a plan — it’s happening. Jun 04, 2025

In this episode of Transform Gov, host Maeve Kneafsey continues her conversation with Damien McCallion, Deputy CEO and Chief Technology & Transformation Officer at the HSE, to explore how a national health system is embracing digital — not just with ambition, but with action.

Damien shares the inside story of:

How over 50,000 staff hours have already been saved through automation
Why the seven-year Electronic Health Record programme is built to survive turbulence
How AI is now detecting fractures faster than ever in Irish hospitals
What lessons every public sector CIO and digital leader can learn from the HSE’s transformation playbook
The secret to embedding a culture of digital safety across massive frontline teams

If you’re leading change in government — in health, education, justice or beyond — or supplying technology into the public sector, this episode is packed with practical insight, scalable ideas, and real-world results.

🎙️ Listen now to discover what’s working — and what’s next.

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From cockpits to clinics: how aviation is inspiring a healthcare transformation May 26, 2025

Maeve Kneafsey talks with Damien McCallion, Deputy CEO and CTO of the HSE, about what digital transformation really takes — in the middle of complexity, crisis, and culture. From checklists to cloud systems, and from relationship-building to region-wide reform, this is a masterclass for anyone trying to lead change in the public sector.

Whether you're in housing, justice, education or health — this one will land.

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No more measuring wheels: How AI, drones and a bit of cop-on are fixing roads (and budgets) May 15, 2025

In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Alan Browne, CEO and co-founder of Soarvo, about how their cloud-based geospatial AI platform is helping governments and local authorities turn complex drone, laser, and video data into fast, accurate infrastructure decisions. Alan shares a game-changing case study with National Highways UK, where Soarvo’s AI and augmented reality platform replaced manual road inspections, saving £17 million in one year.

You’ll learn:

How AI and drone footage can spot road damage before the human eye can
Why user-friendly tools (not engineers-only systems) are the future of geospatial data
How local authorities can roll out AI pilots for under €10K
Why Soarvo is built to be used by road crews, not just data scientists

This is practical, affordable digital transformation in action — and it's already reshaping how infrastructure is managed across the UK and Ireland.

#TransformGov #AIinGovernment #SmartInfrastructure #GeospatialAI #DigitalGovernment #Soarvo #PublicSectorInnovation #LocalGovTech #AugmentedReality #DroneMapping #SpotifyPodcasts #ApplePodcasts #ChatGPT #RoadMaintenanceAI #NationalHighwaysUK

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Piloting GenAI safely: how Dublin City Council & ADAPT are reimagining public innovation May 09, 2025

In this episode of Transform Gov, host Maeve Kneafsey sits down with Dr. Robert Ross, Senior Lecturer at Technological University Dublin and lead researcher with the ADAPT Centre, to explore how public bodies can embrace generative AI — safely, strategically, and with purpose.

Robert shares the inside story of the GenAI Lab, a groundbreaking partnership between ADAPT and Dublin City Council, designed to give public sector teams a trusted, low-risk space to experiment with emerging technologies. From rethinking procurement to triaging planning applications, they discuss real examples of GenAI being tested for the public good.

You’ll hear:

Why a “lab model” helps public bodies move faster without taking big risks
What makes a partnership with researchers work
The surprising power of small startups in big transformation projects
How GenAI can improve policy checks, automate translation, and save staff time
Practical steps for any organisation — no matter how small — to get started

Whether you're just GenAI-curious or leading innovation in your department, this episode is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss.

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Why Ireland’s planning process needs a rethink Apr 23, 2025

Transform Gov delves into the emotive and urgent issue of the planning process and the very exciting potential provided by digital technologies. RIAI president, Seán Mahon looks at the future of city planning. We explored how digital twins and 3D modeling are transforming Ireland’s planning process, making it more efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused. Seán broke down how these innovations not only speed up applications but also empower better civic engagement, real-time collaboration, and smarter urban development. If you want to know how digital transformation can unlock smarter, more livable cities—and what Ireland can learn from international leaders—don’t miss this episode!

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Working with AI agents, not against them – Wendy Walsh returns Apr 14, 2025

Wendy Walsh, Accenture Ireland’s Talent and Organisation Lead, returns for Part 2 on Transform Gov to explore the evolving relationship between people and AI in the public sector. From onboarding bots to research agents and Copilot-enabled teamwork, this episode is packed with practical insights for future-ready leaders.

You’ll hear:

How GenAI and agentic AI are transforming frontline public sector work
What fusion skills are—and why they matter
Real examples of how digital assistants are improving staff experience

Tune in and share this episode with colleagues.

Public sector, AI, agentic AI, GenAI, digital transformation, change management, Accenture, Copilot, government technology, employee experience

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Bravely exploring how not to do it - secret weapons in transformation Apr 02, 2025

Wendy Walsh, Accenture Ireland, shares practical insights on where public sector transformation efforts stumble—and how to turn things around

What you’ll learn:

- How to make it work

- Essential trust and transparency

- Influencers and change champions as a secret weapon

Listen now and subscribe for future Transform Gov episodes www.digitalgovawards.com

Public sector, digital transformation, GenAI, change management, Accenture, leadership, hyperpersonalisation, AI workforce, government innovation

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Ignoring GenAI is not a choice for governments, it’s already transforming our world Mar 24, 2025

With thanks to Accenture, Maeve Kneafsey is joined by Bryan Rich for part 2 of how GenAI is being used in governments across the globe. Bryan shares incredible insights into how the day-to day-lives of every public sector employee will change. #PublicsectorInnovation #DigitalTransformation #PublicService #GenAI #Accenture Transform Gov with Maeve Kneafsey and Bryan Rich www.digitalgovawards.com/podcast

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All sizzle, no steak?? What can AI actually do for government. Mar 12, 2025

Discover how governments globally are leveraging Generative AI to dramatically enhance citizen services, streamline complex processes, and upgrade legacy IT systems. Bryan Rich, Accenture's Global AI Leader for Public Sector, Defense, and Health, reveals real-world examples and the strategic thinking needed for successful AI integration.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What exactly do the Tax Authorities know about tax payers? Mar 04, 2025

On Episode 27 of the TransformGov podcast, John Barron, CIO of Revenue, gives exclusive insights about the digital-first future of Ireland’s tax administration including, importantly, a total revolution regarding VAT.

The Revenue Commissioners are also going ‘all in’ on AI-driven services to streamline public interactions. During COVID the team learnt alot about agility—responding to issues in days.

John outlines the biggest digital changes to tax compliance coming our way.

Essential listening for those in digital transformation, government IT, finance, or policy and, of course, the entire tax industry.

With thanks to Accenture

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Inside Revenue’s Digital Transformation – Exclusive with CIO John Barron! Feb 20, 2025

How does Ireland’s tax system stay ahead of the curve? In part 1 of this exclusive interview, John Barron, CIO of Revenue, reveals how technology powers tax collection, compliance, and efficiency.

🔍 From the first PCs in Revenue to AI-powered compliance—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

🎥 Listen now, subscribe, and stay ahead of the digital curve!

📌www.digitalgovawards.com/podcast

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Inside Ireland's Digital transformation– 8M USERS, 40M PAGE VIEWS! 🚀 Feb 14, 2025

💡 How do you take a messy, fragmented digital landscape and transform it into a seamless, powerful online presence that reaches millions worldwide?

That’s exactly what Ciara Traynor and her team at the Department of Foreign Affairs have done with Ireland.ie – a platform that’s setting the gold standard for digital government.

🎙️ In this episode of TransformGov, Maeve Kneafsey sits down with Ciara to uncover:

✅ The high-stakes digital strategy that made Ireland.ie a global success

✅ How to manage 100+ stakeholders and still drive change

✅ Key lessons for anyone in government IT, digital strategy, or transformation

🔥 This isn’t just a website – it’s a masterclass in digital government at scale!

📢 Listen now & get inspired!

💬 What’s the biggest challenge YOU see in digital government today?

Share your thoughts on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ireland-egovernment-awards-transform-gov-podcast/

#DigitalGovernment #Egovernment #PublicSectorInnovation #IrelandIE #GovTech #DigitalStrategy #GovernmentTransformation

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A Stroke of Innovation: How Tech and Determination Are Transforming Stroke Rehabilitation Jan 28, 2025

Emma Dunn, Occupational Therapist at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, and Dr. Dominic Holmes, founder of eXrt, took on one of healthcare’s toughest challenges—and won.

With the power of AI-driven Virtual Reality, they’ve bridged the gap between overburdened clinical teams and patients in critical need, delivering:

✅ Life-changing outcomes for stroke survivors

✅ Revolutionary time-saving solutions for healthcare professionals

Their story is not just inspiring—it’s a blueprint for innovation in healthcare and public sector transformation.

🎙️ In this exclusive podcast interview, hear how they turned an extraordinary idea into an award-winning solution, earning them recognition in the AI Ireland eGovernment Awards for outstanding impact in digital healthcare.

👉 Whether you’re in healthcare, digital transformation, or public service, this episode will leave you inspired to rethink what’s possible.

📲 Listen now and subscribe at www.digitalgovawards.com/podcast

🔗 Share this story to amplify ideas that are shaping the future of healthcare.

#HealthcareInnovation #DigitalTransformation #AIinHealthcare #HealthTech #MedTech #PublicService #StrokeRehabilitation #Leadership

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Game-changing citizens service hub and winner of Ireland eGovernment Award Jan 06, 2025

Pauline Tracey, a 40-year public sector veteran, shares her inspiring journey from libraries and finance to leading Dublin City Council’s Citizen Hub – a game-changing platform delivering digital services that truly meet citizens' needs.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Public Sector Leaders:

✅ Prioritising high-impact services like housing, waste reporting, and bulky item collections.

✅ Building a customer-first framework with Granicus platform to integrate services seamlessly.

✅ Tackling challenges like illegal dumping and enabling choice-based lettings online.

✅ Using Tableau dashboards to track SLAs, improve service response times, and deliver accountability.

✅ Why splitting Digital Transformation from general ICT drives agility and focus.

✅ How in-house UX/UI design teams save money and improve citizen experiences.

🌟 “Digital transformation is about understanding citizen needs and making services accessible. It's not just technology; it’s trust, collaboration, and prioritisation.

Follow Transform Gov for more insights into public sector digital transformation https://www.linkedin.com/company/ireland-egovernment-awards-transform-gov-podcast/?viewAsMember=true

#PublicSector #DigitalTransformation #CitizenExperience #GovTech #Leadership #SmartCities #DublinCityCouncil #GovernmentInnovation

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Best-in-Class Digital Transformation in the public sector Dec 16, 2024

This episode of Transform Gov is packed with actionable insights for professionals working on website redevelopment, accessibility improvements, and international audience engagement. Hosted by Maeve Kneafsey, Episode 22 features Liz Coffey from the National Library of Ireland (NLI), sharing their journey to deliver a world-class digital platform for users at home and abroad.

What You'll Learn:

Bilingual Accessibility: How the NLI prioritised Irish and English language support, working with translation companies and automation tools like Sinosta to ensure high-quality content delivery.

User Experience Design (UX): The role of user research, remote workshops, and data-driven decision-making in crafting a platform that meets diverse audience needs.

Digital Innovation: Implementing features like ticketing integration, event management tools, and a robust content architecture to serve both domestic and international users effectively.

Global Reach: The NLI’s success in attracting audiences from Japan, the US, and beyond to their unique collections on Yeats, Seamus Heaney, and other Irish cultural treasures.

Genealogy and Family History: The popularity of the NLI’s parish registers and their value to researchers, especially those tracing family roots impacted by the destruction of the Four Courts archives during the Irish Civil War.

Key Results:

A remarkable 84% increase in reader ticket applications since launching the new website in March 2023.

Expanded online visibility and engagement through international events, webinars, and social media campaigns.

Enhanced analytics to understand and cater to user interests, from genealogy to Irish literature.

Future Innovations:

Liz Coffey gives an exclusive preview of the NLI’s ambitious plans, including the redevelopment of the West Wing into a vibrant cultural space featuring exhibitions, learning areas, and more. With the goal of unveiling these updates for the library’s 100th anniversary in 2027, the NLI continues to set the bar for public sector innovation.

Advice for Public Sector Professionals:

Plan with Purpose: Establish clear deliverables and business needs before selecting development partners.

Iterate and Improve: Launch first, then refine based on user feedback and post-launch reviews.

Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with translation and development partners to integrate workflows seamlessly into internal systems.

Don’t Miss This Episode!

This conversation is a goldmine of insights for anyone working on public sector digital transformation, multilingual content strategies, or engaging international and domestic audiences.

Subscribe to Transform Gov and receive your personal update for more episodes spotlighting innovation in the public sector. Hit the like button, share this podcast!

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Inside Pobal’s Public Sector Data Revolution – Governance, Quick Wins, and the Future of AI Dec 09, 2024

Ready to find out how data is transforming public policy? In Part 2 of our conversation with Martin Quigley, Head of Data and Analytics at Pobal, we explore practical insights and game-changing strategies for leveraging data in the public sector.

What you’ll gain from this episode:

✅ Actionable Advice: How to kickstart data-driven decision-making, including the role of governance in maximising outcomes.

✅ Quick Wins vs. Long-Term Gains: Demonstrating early value without compromising foundational governance.

✅ High-Value Data Projects: Insights from projects like the HRB(Health Research Board) and NDTRS (National Drug Treatment Reporting System) reporting system, showcasing the power of linking datasets for impactful research.

✅ Empowering Data Entry Teams: Helping frontline workers see the bigger picture—how their efforts shape future policies.

✅ Building Trust in Data: Transparency, quality, and accessibility as the foundation of impactful analytics.

What’s new in this episode?

Discover the story behind Pobal Maps, with 500k views in the last 12 months, and how GIS technology boosted the usability of the HP Deprivation Index.
Learn how Pobal collaborates with public sector users to create bespoke dashboards and track the impact of interventions over time.
Explore the role of open data in making the HP Deprivation Index accessible for policy-making and research.
Hear about Martin’s vision for the future, including generative AI innovations and strategies to prepare the workforce for the next wave of transformation.

Why listen?

Martin offers invaluable insights into tackling resistance to data governance, creating impactful data products, and integrating advanced technologies like AI into public sector workstreams.

Hear how data can transform policymaking to create smarter, more responsive governments. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that uncover the future of digital government!

🔗www.digitalgovawards.com

#TransformGov #DataDrivenPolicy #PublicSectorInnovation #PobalMaps #GenerativeAI #DigitalGovernment

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Unlocking the power of data to drive public sector programmes Nov 28, 2024

In this episode Martin Quigley, Head of Data and Analytics at Pobal, explores how data is transforming policymaking and ensuring government supports reach those who need them most. With Pobal’s workforce growing from 220 to 720 people in just nine years—and its analytics team expanding to 32 experts—Martin reveals the critical role of data in shaping Ireland’s public policies.

From answering over 1,200 Oireachtas questions annually to producing insights that guide early interventions for disadvantaged children, Martin shares invaluable tips on data management and governance frameworks that are relevant to anyone in the public sector.

🎥 Watch now to learn how data is driving smarter decisions and creating real impact across Ireland! Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into transforming the public sector. 🔔

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Save Ireland's Heritage Nov 18, 2024

Is our cultural heritage at risk of fading away in the digital age? In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Dr. Lisa Griffith, Director of the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI) and winner of the Open Data Ireland eGovernment Award. Dr. Griffith shares how the DRI is safeguarding Ireland’s rich digital heritage, from pivotal moments like the Repeal the 8th Amendment campaign to the folklore of the Traveller community. Discover how open access to large and diverse collections not only enriches research but also keeps Ireland’s story alive on a global stage.

Tune in to learn why preserving digital records is crucial for public sector organisations of all kinds and explore the DRI’s vision for a future where Ireland’s history is open, accessible, and secure for generations to come!

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Apprenticeships are Fueling Tech Careers! Nov 14, 2024

Ever wondered how apprenticeships can be a game-changer for tech talent in the public sector? In this episode of Transform Gov, we spotlight the FIT program, which has trained nearly 1,000 apprentices in software development, cybersecurity, networking, and more.

With 70% of tech roles suited to intermediate skills, apprenticeships offer a smart, cost-effective solution, keeping top talent focused on high-priority work while developing new tech professionals. The best part? 85% of apprentices stay on with their employer after qualifying—boosting retention and creating dedicated, homegrown teams.

🎥 Watch the teaser below and tune in to see how apprenticeships are opening doors to high-impact tech roles! Don’t forget to follow and subscribe for more insights on transforming public service! #TransformGov #Apprenticeships #TechCareers #PublicSectorInnovation

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Trailblazing pain management within the HSE using VR Nov 07, 2024

We're excited to introduce HSE innovation champion Anna Marie Kiernan, whose dedication to finding effective solutions for chronic pain patients has led to a groundbreaking outcome. With a relentless drive to improve quality of life, Anna Marie’s work has brought virtual reality into the pain management toolkit, transforming how patients experience relief and resilience.

Joining her is Niall O'Driscoll, Joint CEO of ShineVR, the company behind this innovative VR solution. Together, they’re pioneering a unique approach that could reshape pain management across Ireland. Listen in as they share the journey, insights, and transformative impact of VR in healthcare—an inspiring testament to what’s possible when technology meets compassionate care.

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Unlock the Secrets Behind Fáilte Ireland’s Digital Transformation Success. Oct 29, 2024

Enjoy a transformation masterclass with Kathrin Chambers, Digital Marketing Manager at Fáilte Ireland (tourism board), to explore their successful digital transformation journey along with the story of their award-winning 'Keep Discovering Car-Free' campaign which earned them the Ireland eGovernment Marketing Award.

Kathrin shares valuable insights into how they shifted their focus from brands to visitors first and defined clear goals for what success looked like.

Discover how Fáilte Ireland streamlined their digital properties, consolidating websites from seven to three and optimising social channels with a headless CMS for seamless updates. Kathrin also reveals how they kept senior leadership engaged through show-and-tell sessions, documented their learnings in a wiki for future projects, and how their front-office team played a pivotal role during COVID, updating core databases and driving a surge in digital referrals for tourist organisations.

Don’t miss this deep dive into Fáilte Ireland’s innovative strategies for digital growth and success!

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VR is Transforming Libraries and Public Engagement Oct 17, 2024

In Part 2 of this eye-opening interview with Fingal County Council’s Aisling Hyland, we discover the innovative use of virtual reality (VR) in Fingal Libraries that landed them the top spot in the Education category of the Ireland eGovernment Awards!

Find out how citizens of all ages—from 13 to 89—are embracing VR for experiences as diverse as virtual mountain biking, creating spray art in New York, and exploring Anne Frank’s hideaway. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, showcasing how technology can open up entirely new worlds in a local library setting.

Find out how with the help of Meta and Eirmersive have helped shape this pioneering initiative, and hear Aisling’s insights on how Fingal is overcoming challenges to make VR a success—including securing buy-in from librarians, who are crucial to keeping the VR headsets in action.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a public sector innovator, or simply curious about the future of libraries, this episode offers valuable insights into how VR is engaging communities in entirely new ways.

Watch now to be inspired by how VR is transforming public services—and don’t forget to subscribe for more future-focused content from Transform Gov!

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you believe in the power of tech for public good! 🔔

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How Fingal County Council is Revolutionising Public Engagement with Digital Twins and VR Oct 09, 2024

In this exciting episode of Transform Gov, we speak with Aisling Hyland, Digital Programme Officer at Fingal County Council who were the Overall Winners of the 2024 Ireland eGovernment Awards!

Aisling shares how cutting-edge technology like VR, 3D, and web views transformed how citizens engage with large public realm developments, including the revitalisation of Balbriggan's beach and main street. With the help of RealSim’s gaming technology, they built a digital twin of the area, allowing residents to immerse themselves in the proposed plans and provide feedback like never before.

Discover how Fingal overcame challenges in visualising complex projects, increased public consultation by 140%, and adjusted their plans during the pandemic by creating web-accessible views. Aisling also offers invaluable advice to other local authorities on adopting digital twins and shares a bold vision for the future of this technology in shaping public spaces far beyond planning consultations. 🌍

Tune in for an inspiring look at how digital innovation is shaping the future of public services!

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Fastrack finding future public sector tech leaders Oct 01, 2024

In this episode of Transform Gov, we explore the innovative FIT apprenticeship program, a fast-track initiative designed to propel individuals with the right aptitude and attitude into successful careers in tech—no need for top CAO points.

We had the privilege of speaking with two current apprentices and a mentor, who shared their inspiring journey. They explained how they applied to the program, managed by FIT for the Irish public sector (applications available on www.publicjobs.ie), and the unique learn-and-earn model that combines hands-on experience with invaluable mentorship.

This program is revolutionizing public service recruitment, providing a diverse talent pipeline for those eager to make a meaningful impact on society, not just profits. It’s a brilliant opportunity for anyone looking to take a different route into the tech industry, one where their work benefits the nation.

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Securing the Future: Cyber security Strategies for the Public Sector with Patricia Shields Sep 24, 2024

Is Ireland a weak link in Europe’s cyber security chain? In this insightful, jargon-free interview, Patricia Shields talks about the realities of cyber threats, from phishing to ransomware, and explores the increasing efforts to bolster Ireland's cyber security infrastructure. Learn how organisations can prepare, the role of the EU in shaping our response, and the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act’s impact. Tune in to hear about state-backed attacks, threat modelling, digital twins, and more. Cybersecurity isn’t just an “if” question – it’s a “when.” 🔗 Listen now to stay ahead of the curve and protect your digital assets! #CyberSecurity #TechTalk #TransformGov #DigitalSecurity #IrelandEU

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Unlock the Future with GenAI in the Public Sector! Sep 10, 2024

In the latest episode of Transform Gov, we discover the transformative impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on Public Sector roles and services with Prof. Vinny Wade, Snr. Lecturer Computer Science, Trinity College Dublin.

Highlights:

Early Adopters & Shifts: From tech giants to public sector departments like marketing, customer service, and software development, GenAI is revolutionizing the way we work. While it won’t take your job, someone using it might!
Changing Workforce: GenAI is reshaping roles, with a focus on knowledge workers. Being GenAI literate is no longer optional—it's essential. Expect productivity to skyrocket as we embrace these tools.
Creativity & Co-Creation: Can GenAI be creative? It might not rival a human artist, but it’s proving to be an incredible co-creator, sparking imagination and innovation across industries.
Global Perspectives: With the EU’s AI Act on the horizon, we explore how different countries are navigating the delicate balance of innovation, ethics, and regulation.
Empowering Public Services: Imagine personalized government services tailored to your life stages and unique needs. GenAI is making this a reality, helping public sector employees deliver more responsive and informed services.
Ethics & Sovereignty: As we integrate GenAI, the conversation around digital sovereignty and ethical safeguards becomes crucial. How do we ensure that we remain in control while harnessing the benefits of AI?

Join us in this engaging discussion and learn how GenAI can help build a more balanced and effective public sector. Tune in, follow, and share this episode to stay ahead of the curve!

#AI #GenAI #DigitalGovernment #PublicSector #Innovation #Podcast #AIRegulation

Don't miss out—listen now and be part of the future!

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AI and the public sector, why, how and watch-outs Sep 02, 2024

In the latest episode of Transform Gov, we enjoy a fascinating chat about the transformative power of AI in the public sector with Prof. Vinny Wade from Trinity College Dublin.

In part 1 we explore the evolution of neural networks to the incredible speed of modern processors, we explore why AI is making waves - why now?

Discover how AI is reshaping everything from customer support to personalised learning in government, and hear real-world examples of AI in action—both the triumphs and the challenges.

We also touch on the crucial role of ethics, data privacy, and the importance of context in deploying AI solutions effectively.

Whether you're curious about AI's potential or its pitfalls, this episode is packed with insights for public sector professionals in Ireland.

👉 Don't miss out—follow, listen, and share this episode to stay ahead in the AI revolution!

#AI #DigitalGovernment #PublicSectorInnovation #Podcast

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Who would you trust with your wallet? Aug 15, 2024

In part two of Transform Gov 's interview with Barry Lowry, Ireland’s CIO we hear about what is coming down the track and why Ireland continues to be ahead of the curve when it comes to digitising access to public services. Barry shares insights on the sizable projects overseen by digital government and emphasises the importance of leveraging existing technologies within the public sector rather than redeveloping functions from scratch. Barry discusses the unique position of the Irish government, which enjoys the highest trust levels among OECD countries. The episode explores how digital government is adapting to the diverse needs of citizens. He discusses the innovative approach of organising services around life events such as births, marriages, and bereavements, which necessitates collaboration across public bodies to anticipate citizens' needs. We hear about the introduction of the digital wallet, a pioneering phase in Ireland's digital government efforts. #digitaltransformation #publicsector #digitalwallet #lifeevents #aiact #government #podcast

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Stunning results for MyGovID. Ireland far outpaces Europe. Barry Lowry Ireland's CIO Aug 07, 2024

In this episode of Transform Gov: The Digital Government Podcast, Maeve Kneafsey sits down with Barry Lowry, Ireland's Chief Information Officer, for the first of a two-part interview series. Barry shares his experiences and insights from his pivotal role in transforming Ireland's digital landscape. He discusses the evolution of digital governance, highlighting key initiatives such as the my.gov portal and the rollout of digital COVID certificates that have set Ireland ahead in digital service delivery.

Barry delves into the essential qualities of transformational leadership and how he has fostered collaboration across government agencies. With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, Barry's leadership has propelled Ireland to the forefront of digital governance, with 2.6 million verified users engaging with digital services at twice the EU average rate.

Discover the strategies and teamwork that enabled Barry's team to issue over 1.25 million COVID certificates in record time and how they navigated the challenges of the pandemic through seamless digital solutions. This episode offers valuable insights into the future of digital government and the critical role of leadership in driving transformation.

Tune in to learn how Barry Lowry is shaping the future of digital governance in Ireland and beyond.

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Why the threatened Brexit queues never materialised in Ireland? Jul 29, 2024

Welcome to Transform Gov - the podcast where we explore the cutting-edge of digital government!

In Episode 7 we’re thrilled to feature Louise Jevens, CIO of the Department of Justice in Ireland. We hear how Louise Jevens and her team used technology to avert a post-Brexit crisis. When Louise's Secretary General directed her to do whatever was needed to avoid queues at Dublin Port she rose to the challenge and technology came to the rescue.

From digitising the public sector recruitment process to tackling the challenges of Brexit and now working to revolutionise the immigration services, Louise has been a driving force behind some of Ireland’s most transformative public sector projects.

Hear how she led the charge in adopting online testing, developing systems to manage Brexit's complexities, and creating innovative solutions to support Ukrainian refugees. Discover her vision for the future of AI in government and her dedication to increasing women's representation in tech.

This episode is packed with insights and stories that showcase the true power of digital transformation. Don’t miss out! Subscribe to Transform Gov now and join us for an inspiring conversation with Louise Jevens. 🎧✨

#irelandegovernmentawards #publicsectortransformation #digitaltransformation #deptjustice #publicsector #publicservants #brexit #irelandgovernment

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Louise Jevens CIO Dept. Justice, UK Prime Minister Blackberry FOMO Jul 14, 2024

🌟 Transform Gov Podcast: Louise Jevens - A Tech Trailblazer in Ireland’s Public Sector 🌟

Louise Jevens joined the civil service straight out of school, thinking she’d just “see if she liked it.” Thirty years later, she's a celebrated tech leader in the Irish public sector, making impactful contributions through digital transformation.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

- Prime Minister FOMO: The press office incident when the Irish Taoiseach's Blackberry caused FOMO with the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

- Acing the Start: Louise aced an internal competition to train as a computer analyst early in her career, setting the stage for her journey as a tech leader.

- Public Service Passion: She emphasizes the unique satisfaction of working in the public sector, witnessing firsthand the benefits her projects bring to citizens. It’s a team environment that integrates with the private sector, making it dynamic and fulfilling.

- Early Tech Adoption: Her journey began at Social Protection, where she experienced the integration of silo schemes into a single customer view. This forward-thinking approach was essential for disseminating and collecting billions of euros.

- Customer-Centric Mindset: Louise discusses the shift from automating existing processes to focusing on customer needs, sharing data to make better policy and service decisions.

- Strategic CIO Role: She highlights the strategic role of CIOs in policy formulation through data analysis, now having a seat at management boards.

- PULSE Implementation: At An Garda Síochána, Louise was part of the team that built PULSE, centralizing information for Garda analysis and enhancing operational effectiveness.

- Pioneering eCabinet: Leading a small IT team at the Dept of An Taoiseach, she developed the eCabinet project, digitizing the cabinet office and setting a precedent in the EU and possibly the world. This project enhanced security and efficiency, attracting international interest.

- Collaborative Network: She values her network across different departments, collaborating with colleagues and gaining insights to drive successful projects.

- Supporting Women in Tech: Louise is passionate about encouraging young people, especially women, to join the public service for fresh ideas and knowledge.

🚀 Tune in to this episode to hear Louise’s incredible journey and insights on driving digital transformation in the public sector.

#TransformGov #DigitalTransformation #PublicSector #Ireland #TechLeadership #WomenInTech #Podcast #Innovation

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Cyber threats an inevitability and the critical role of the CISO Jun 26, 2024

The HSE continues to face ongoing challenges in protecting patient information. The latest incident in June 2024 was the result of an internal IT glitch that compromised the vaccination details of over one million people. In part 2 of Transform Gov’s interview with Maria McCann, former Director of Data and Informatics at the HSE we discuss, amongst other topics, the ongoing data security issues faced by the HSE, Maria underscores the inevitability of cyber threats and the critical role of the CISO.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

- Crisis Management: Maria's resilience was tested through the COVID crisis and the Ukrainian refugee crisis, where she played a pivotal role in managing the response efforts. Tune in to hear how she used "energy buckets" to build team resilience.

- Data Security Challenges: Discussing the ongoing data security issues faced by the HSE, Maria underscores the inevitability of cyber threats and the critical role of the CISO.

- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: The Ukrainian refugee crisis required seamless collaboration across multiple departments and organisations, including EY and Microsoft. Discover the complexities of aligning diverse teams to support refugees, such as ensuring access to cancer treatment centres.

- Managing Expectations: With a large stakeholder group, prioritizing needs and managing expectations were crucial. Maria highlights the importance of plain English communication and open conversations to align everyone's efforts.

- AI in Healthcare: Maria emphasizes that AI must be driven by clinicians to support healthcare effectively. She shares her involvement with Spunout, a charity using AI to support young people's mental health. She also tell us about the innovative Fastrack to IT apprenticeship program.

💡 Key Takeaways:

- The human element is the hardest and most important part of major projects, requiring honest communication and alignment.

- Data quality and governance are foundational for successful AI initiatives.

- The importance of practical education pathways, like tech apprenticeships, to bridge skills gaps and support lifelong learning.

Join us as Maria McCann shares her invaluable experiences and insights into the world of digital transformation in government. 🌐📊

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Revolutionising digital health at the HSE with Maria McCann former Director Data & Informatics. Jun 19, 2024

Transforming Healthcare; Organisational Psychologist and former HSE Director of Data and Informatics, Maria McCann played a pivotal role in revolutionising digital health at the HSE. Which included her time working with Richard Corbridge, CIO of HSE, the COVID response team and Ukrainian crisis.

Episode Highlights:

· Patient-Centered Transformation - How Maria and her team focused on integrating IT solutions seamlessly into the workflows of both patients and clinicians, ensuring technology enhances rather than complicates their experiences.

· Driving Change with Clinicians: How Maria managed to get 200 HSE clinicians to drive change, highlighting the critical role of clinical teams in successful digital transformation.

· Resilience During COVID: Hear about the extraordinary efforts to support clinicians, risking their lives during the pandemic, in the implementation of the Individual Health Identifier (IHI) and remote work migration for 1500 HSE workers.

· Collaborative Efforts: Understand the extensive collaboration with various public sector agencies, including the Department of Health, OGCIO, ESRI, CSO, and many more, to drive forward crucial projects like the HSE tracker and vaccination management.

· Innovative strategies used to transition to remote work, including "how-to" video guides and online learning forums that saw 1000 registrations in just two days.

#DigitalTransformation #PublicSector #Podcast #HealthcareInnovation #PatientCentricCare #HSE #RichardCorbridge #MariaMcCann #ClinicalLeadership #COVID19Response #RemoteWork #Collaboration #DigitalHealth #IHITech #eGovernmentAwards

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Is Google Stealing our History? Dr Sandra Collins, Librarian UCD, former Director National Library, and Digital Repository Jun 12, 2024

On this episode of our digital transformation podcast we meet Dr. Sandra Collins, a trailblazer in the public sector's digital landscape, who is also a three-time winner of the Ireland eGovernment Awards. She has been instrumental in bringing transformative projects out of the basement (literally) and into the limelight.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

- Discover how entering prestigious awards can remind you of the significance of your transformation efforts.

- Explore how everything we create today, from art to social interactions, is digital, and why safeguarding our digital history is crucial.

- Learn about the digitisation of parish records and how it has revolutionised genealogy research.

- Understand why Dr. Collins believes digital transformation projects should be people-centric, focusing on problem-solving and stakeholder engagement.

- Pandemic Insights. Hear stories from the National Library during the pandemic, where virtual events saw unprecedented public engagement with cultural material.

- Delve into the challenges of recording history in a digital age and the critical role of digital repositories.

Key Takeaways:

- The importance of not letting digital transformation be driven solely by technologists.

- The necessity of preserving digital records to avoid a potential new dark age.

- The need for agreements with tech companies to secure our social history.

#DigitalTransformation #PublicSector #Podcast #DigitalHistory #Innovation #Preservation #TechLeadership #CulturalHeritage #DrSandraCollins #eGovernmentAwards #DigitalRepositoryOfIreland

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Public Sector phone use saving lives. Part 2 -Interview with Joseph Nugent, former CAO, An Garda Síochána Jun 05, 2024

Part II of a fascinating interview with former CAO of An Garda Síochána, Joseph Nugent. Joe tells us about his time working with Andrew O’Sullivan CIO, An Garda Síochána, and Commissioner Harris to empower An Garda using technology to save lives.

· How digital transformation empowers all, not just the techies.

· The importance of vendor selection, highlighting a small Bray, Ireland SME's success in designing Ireland’s digital passport.

· Why personal involvement and cultural alignment are crucial for project success.

· The importance of flexibility and emotional intelligence in decision-making.

📢 Key Takeaways:

- Tailoring services to meet public needs and validating your conclusions with peers.

- The role of AI in enhancing health diagnostics as well as improving cross-departmental government services.

- Future challenges in identity management and the potential of AI to improve public services.

Great insights into making public service more efficient and user-friendly. Hear about great case studies, recognised at the Ireland eGovernment Awards and Leader’s Summit.

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When you encounter resistance to your digital project - Joseph (Joe) Nugent, former CAO, An Garda Síochána May 27, 2024

One of the public sectors 'master transformers', Joseph Nugent, known to most anyone across public sector digital transformation. Joe shares his experiences of internal resistance, handling it, challenges of eliminating mile long passport queues into a five minute online application, so your passport arrives in hours instead of weeks. He talks about hiring 'writers' to ensure documents and websites were written in plain English to explain public sector services and your rights to the paying public. To end, he talks about his time as CAO with An Garda Síochána (police force) where technology has transformed the experience, such as Garda roadside checkpoints interrogating tax, insurance and license information in seconds. Finally, he shares his fascinating thoughts on the future….

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