Launched in 2023, Better Public Services is the transformation strategy for the public service aimed at delivering for the public and building trust. The Public Service Transformation Framework is at the core of the strategy and comprises three priority themes:
Digital and innovation at scale
Workforce and organisation of the future
Evidence-informed policy and services designed with and for the public
The transformation programme will enhance the resilience of the public service to face future challenges; apply modern working methods and digital tools; improve evidence-based decision-making; strengthen innovation strategies; improve policy-making and delivery of public services; and increase the capacity and efficiency of the public service.
In November 2025, the Government launched the Digital Public Services Plan 2030, which sets out a roadmap for delivering seamless, inclusive, and user-centred public services through digital transformation.
As a key part of the Better Public Services strategy, it represents Ireland’s most ambitious digital reform agenda to date. Central to the plan is the Life Events Approach, which designs services around important moments in people’s lives, such as starting school, becoming a parent, or accessing housing, making services more intuitive, proactive, and integrated.
The vision is to create an inclusive, digitally enabled and integrated public service provision that meets the needs and improves the lives of the people of Ireland. Real progress is being made. This conference will bring together key stakeholders from across Ireland’s public service to look ahead to what’s next and how we can deliver transformation at scale.
Where
Radisson Blu Royal, Dublin
When
Thursday 28th
May 2026
A high level panel of experts will look at key issues including:
- Better Public Services: Update on delivery;
- Strengthening public trust in government;
- Embedding user centric design across our public service;
- Engaging with the service user – becoming citizen-centric;
- Data-driven research to inform policy-making;
- Designing inclusive and accessible public services;
- Upskilling and reskilling staff;
- Driving equality, diversity and inclusion within organisations;
- Delivering large scale transformation;
- Innovative leadership;
- Innovation in healthcare delivery;
- Creating and using innovative solutions for government;
- Sectoral update: health; justice; education; local government;
- Best practice case studies.
Event Speakers
Speakers confirmed so far include:
Frank Feighan
Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Louise O'Hare
Sláintecare Transformation and Innovation Office (STIO)
Soulmaz Alavinia
French Government
Kevin Horan
HSE
Paula Lyons
Department of Social Protection
William Flanagan
OpenSky Data Systems
Pat Daly
Limerick City & County Council
Caoimhe McMahon
DesignLab: Civic, National College of Art and Design
Aideen Maguire
ADRC NI
Shivaali Scully
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority
Fíona Ní Chinnéide
The Probation Service
Alison Boland
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Programme
Collaborating to scale public service transformation
Registration
Chairperson’s welcome and introduction
Deloitte
Delivering better healthcare: Turning Sláintecare into reality
Louise O'Hare, Assistant National Director Sláintecare Transformation and Innovation Office (STIO), Health Service Executive
Transformative design for the public sector
Soulmaz Alavinia, Campus de la transformation publique
French Government
Transforming probation to deliver better outcomes
Fíona Ní Chinnéide, Deputy Director of Operations, Prisoners and Reintegration The Probation Service
Enabling innovation in the public sector
Presented by Deloitte
Questions & answers / Panel discussion
Morning coffee / networking break
Better Public Services: Update on implementation and delivery
Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Integrating AI into digital government solutions
William Flanagan, Director of Technology and Commercial and Co-Founder OpenSky Data Systems
Data-driven research to inform policy-making
Aideen Maguire, Co-Director ADRC NI
Innovation in local government: Transforming services for citizens
Pat Daly, Director General Limerick City & County Council
Questions & answers / Panel discussion
Networking Lunch
Design as a driver of reform: Shaping the future of our public services
Alison Boland, Principal Officer Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
PANEL DISCUSSION: DESIGNING FOR PEOPLE: A USER-CENTRED DESIGN APPROACH
Caoimhe McMahon, Service Design Course Coordinator, National College of Art and Design, DesignLab: Civic
Kevin Horan, Head of Design, HSE
Paula Lyons, Head of Service Development, Department of Social Protection
Shivaali Scully, Assistant Principal Officer & Senior Design Advisor for Products, Services & Systems, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority
Alison Boland, Principal Officer, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Chairperson's summary and conference close
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available!
Join Ireland’s leading organisations in partnering with Public Services 2026. There are a small number of high-profile packages available. For further information on how your organisation can benefit, contact us directly on +353 (0)1 661 3755 or email Sophie.Adair@eolasmagazine.ie
Who should attend?
This conference will be of interest to senior managers and decision-makers working across Ireland’s public services. The event will also appeal to those within organisations interacting with the public sector, both in policy-making and service delivery roles. The conference will be of particular interest to:
- Chief Executives / Directors / senior managers
- Local government officers
- Elected representatives
- Policy-makers
- Corporate planners
- Board members of public sector agencies
- Voluntary / community sector leaders / NGOs
- Health / education sector professionals
- Services organisations – IT / telecoms / advisory
Benefits of attending
Delegates attending the conference will:
- Gain insight into the government’s objectives for public service transformation
- Hear directly from those responsible for driving forward this programme of reform
- Get an update on what’s happening in local government, health, education and justice
- Have the opportunity to network with other professionals
Event Venue
Event venue location info and gallery
Newsletter
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