Digital Government Outlook 2026: Ireland
Table of contents
This country note presents an overview of the digital government landscape in Ireland drawing on the results of the 2025 OECD Digital Government Index (DGI) and the 2025 OECD OURdata Index. The note outlines key policy developments in the country observed during the assessment period. It aims to inform policy dialogue and support Ireland in advancing a whole-of-government approach to digital transformation in the public sector.
In the 2025 edition of the OECD Digital Government Index, Ireland attained a score of 0.83, above the OECD average of 0.70. This represents a 0.12 increase since 2023 (Figure 1).
Ireland recorded higher scores in Digital by Design (0.91), Data-driven Public Sector (0.77), Government as a Platform (0.88), Proactiveness (0.86) and User-Driven (0.85), compared with OECD averages of 0.75, 0.74, 0.71, 0.67 and 0.71, respectively. These results show that Ireland has advanced in integrating digital technologies into government operations, developing shared platforms, and designing proactive and user-centred services.
Ireland scored above the OECD average in Open by Default (0.69 vs 0.59), though this remains its comparatively lowest dimension. This suggests that Ireland could further strengthen its efforts in promoting the openness and transparency of government data and processes.
In the 2025 edition of the OECD OURdata Index, Ireland attained a score of 0.64, above the OECD average of 0.53 (Figure 2). This represents a 0.05 decrease since 2023.
Ireland recorded higher scores in Data accessibility (0.72) and Data availability (0.61), compared with OECD averages of 0.67 and 0.53, respectively. These results reflect Ireland's efforts in ensuring accessible open data and actively supporting its re-use.
Ireland scored above the OECD average in Government support for data re-use (0.59 vs 0.40), though this remains its comparatively lowest pillar. This suggests that Ireland could further strengthen mechanisms for monitoring the impact of open government data and promoting its re-use within and beyond government.
Ireland has established a comprehensive digital government governance structure. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer leads digital policy under their strategy Harnessing Digital and Connecting Government 2030. Co-ordination is ensured through the Senior Officials Group on Digital and the Public Service Leadership Board, with external input from the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum incorporating the GovTech Advisory Board.
A comprehensive approach to building digital government skills is in place in Ireland. The ICT Apprenticeship Programme was established, with over 100 apprentices across 22 organisations, alongside the Move2ICT reskilling programme for non-ICT staff. These are complemented by training through the Institute of Public Administration, communities of practice on cloud and AI, and multidisciplinary teams for cross-government projects such as the Government Digital Wallet and Life Events programme.
User data and feedback are systematically integrated into service design and delivery in Ireland. The Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services (2023) commits to user-centred design, structured funding, and evidence-informed approaches across government. The gov.ie platform includes a live feedback option on every page, and the Public Service Performance Report provides department-level reporting on service outcomes. An Integrated Performance Measurement Framework is also under development.
While Ireland performs well in AI strategy, ethics, and deployment, its framework for AI transparency could be further developed. In particular, transparency instruments such as disclosure standards or guidelines for AI tools used in public decision-making are not yet in place. Developing such mechanisms could strengthen public accountability and trust.
Strong performance across several dimensions of digital public infrastructure in Ireland is not yet fully matched by its data sharing and interoperability framework. A formal interoperability system and associated requirements for data exchange between public institutions are not yet fully in place. Developing these capabilities could support more seamless service delivery across government.
The OECD Digital Government Outlook (DGO) provides a comprehensive assessment of digital government policies across OECD Members and accession candidate countries. It draws on the results of the 2025 OECD Digital Government Index (DGI) and the 2025 OECD Open, Useful and Re-usable Data (OURdata) Index to evaluate progress and identify persistent gaps in digital transformation across the public sector.
The DGI assesses the enabling foundations for digital transformation across six dimensions: Digital by Design, Data-driven Public Sector, Government as a Platform, Open by Default, User-Driven and Proactiveness. Rather than measuring the digitalisation of specific services, the DGI focuses on the strategies, policy levers, implementation practices and monitoring mechanisms that enable coherent, whole-of-government digital transformation.
The OURdata Index benchmarks the robustness of open government data policies across three pillars: data availability, data accessibility and government support for data re-use. It supports policymakers in monitoring the design and implementation of national open government data policies.
Both indices were developed with OECD Member countries through the OECD Working Party of Senior Digital Government Officials (E-Leaders) and approved by the OECD Public Governance Committee.
Figure 1: The 2025 DGI OECD average does not include Germany and the United States. 2025 data cover the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. The 2023 OECD average does not include Germany, Greece, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States. 2023 data cover the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 October 2022. The composite score is the unweighted average of the six-dimension scores.
Figure 2: The 2025 and 2023 OURdata Index OECD average does not include Denmark, Hungary and the United States. 2025 data cover the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. 2023 data cover the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021. The composite score is the unweighted average of the three-pillar scores.
This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.
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The full book is available in English: OECD (2026), Digital Government Outlook 2026: From Foundations to Transformational Impact, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/0496b2bc-en.
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