Ireland’s public service transformation agenda will take centre stage this November, with gov.ie publishing the programme for Public Service Transformation Week 2026 fringe events. Running from 2 to 27 November, the schedule brings together public bodies, healthcare professionals, civil servants, educators and innovators to explore practical ways to improve services for citizens.
Published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on 14 October 2026, the programme features in-person and online events across healthcare, digital government, education, justice, literacy and Gaeilge.
gov.ie outlines a month of public service innovation
The events are designed to share lessons from major transformation projects while encouraging collaboration across government departments and public agencies. Sessions range from innovation clinics for healthcare staff to service-design workshops and discussions on digital strategy.
Key events taking place in early November
- 2 November: Innovation and Design Drop-in Clinics at Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital, alongside sessions on passport reform and Trinity MedDay.
- 3 November: The Dublin GovJam, hosted by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, will bring participants together for a practical service-design workshop.
- 4 November: Cork University Hospital will host a session on the HSE SPARK Innovation Programme and transforming care in the South West.
- 5 November: University Hospital Kerry will hold an information stand on innovation funding and support for healthcare ideas.
The HSE-focused events will allow healthcare staff to discuss challenges, explore funding opportunities and learn from projects previously supported through the SPARK programme.
Digital government, education and citizen-focused services
A featured online session on 2 November will examine the Passport Reform Programme. The Department of Foreign Affairs will outline how technology, procurement, finance, governance and citizen engagement contributed to a secure and resilient passport service. The presentation will also discuss the development of Ireland’s next-generation passport and lessons from delivering large-scale public service reform.
On 16 November, the Department of Education and Youth will launch its Digital and ICT Strategy 2026–2030. The strategy is expected to focus on user-centred services, data, cyber resilience, shared platforms and emerging technologies, supported by effective governance and workforce capabilities.
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Family literacy, therapy services and Gaeilge by innovation
The programme continues on 19 November with SOLAS’s International Family Literacy Conference at Croke Park. It will bring together practitioners, researchers and community partners to consider practical approaches that help parents support children’s language and literacy development.
Also on 19 November, the Department of Education and Youth will host a webinar on the Education Therapy Service. The session will explain how speech and language therapists and occupational therapists are being embedded in school settings through the National Council for Special Education.
On 23 November, Gaeilge365 will host “Spreag Fís: Gaeilge by Innovation”, highlighting the role of Irish in public services beyond translation and conversation circles. The schedule concludes on 24 November with the National Open Data Conference, reinforcing the importance of accessible data and digital public infrastructure.
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Who should attend?
Several events are open to all public service bodies, while others are internal or aimed at particular professional groups. Potential attendees include staff working across the HSE, Department of Education and Youth, Department of Justice, SOLAS and other public agencies.
Registration details vary. Some events list forthcoming registration information, while the International Family Literacy Conference provides an Eventbrite booking link. Internal events require access through the relevant organisation.
Conclusion
The Public Service Transformation Week 2026 fringe events offer a practical view of how Ireland is improving public services through innovation, digital tools, collaboration and citizen-focused design. From healthcare solutions and passport reform to education, literacy and open data, the programme demonstrates that gov.ie transformation is being advanced across many areas of public administration. The key takeaway is clear: sustainable reform depends on sharing expertise and turning ideas into services that work better for people.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
