Mr. Damian Ward, A/Head of ICT gave an update to the members on the Digital Transformation (DX) process:

·         Optimising processes and making workflows faster, easier and more efficient by creating digital workflows.

·         DX projects include 

o   Meetings Management Software,

o   Webcasting of Council Meetings,

o   Mobile Apps and Customer app,

o   Case Management System for Municipal Districts,

o   Online grants, applications, payments, reporting, consultations

o   Mapping and Reporting

·         Progress to date includes:

o   53 online services developed across 11 departments – 37 public facing, 16 internal use

o   3,298 people registered as self-service users

o   8,716 on customer index as users of online services

o   €14.3m+ processed through online grant

o   LA Customer App – 650 users – future potential for other services

·         New Projects continuously submitted for consideration to DX team – the next projects to be rolled out

o   Ethics Register, Grants, LIS, Planning Enforcement Complaints, Grants Heat Map

·         My Online Services:

o   7,891 cases logged: 37% Roscommon 32% Boyle and Athlone

o   Top issue – Pothole and surface defects - 28%

·         Case Study –both staff and customers welcome new processes. Easy to use, save time, allows info to be interrogated and creates clear audit trail is feedback received.

The Members welcomed the presentation and discussed as follows:

·         We must take account of older generation who may not have access to online services and availability of broadband can also be an issue.

·         Suggest that google earth be used to allow pinpoints for locations of issues be included in the ‘Report It’ facility. There is also a need to improve the information on resolving issues that are reported.

·         Recommend that a 1km grid system for the county be included in the ‘Report It’ facility. This will allow councillors to know the location of the issue.

·         There are incidences of applicants employing professionals to complete some grant applications online and the process should be simplified

·         Councillors require upskilling on the system and completing applications.

·         The ‘Report It’ system is of great benefit on the whole but does require some modifications to make it easier.

·         All technological advancements are to be welcomed if it is more efficient for everyone.

·         There are some difficulties with LIS applications - a councillor should be allowed to assist applicants with their applications.

Una Ni Chuinn, Digital Transformation Officer welcomed the feedback and confirmed that the LIS scheme is now easier to navigate and includes uploading documents. The ICT section will continue to support and help all applicants with the process and largely speaking people are able to use it.

Director of Services Mr. Shane Tiernan also welcomed the feedback and confirmed that enhanced replies to Report It will be addressed. The Council received the greatest amount of LIS funding in 2021 and all applications submitted and approved had everything in order – only one person in the group needs an email address. The Government is rolling out a 5-year programme to support 200k people in the older age category to assist with digital transformation and online facilities.