Transform Gov - the digital government podcast

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—res...

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.digitalgovawar...

💡 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 Ciar...

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...

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...

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: Bi...

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 o...

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...

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...

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 fo...

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'Dri...

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...

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 N...

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...

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,...

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 i...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 c...

🌟 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 offic...

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 fa...

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 -...

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...