Ireland’s Public Service Transformation Week 2026 will continue on Thursday, 12 November, with a full programme focused on digital government, healthcare reform, workforce development and better public services. Published by gov.ie and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the schedule brings together departments, agencies, hospitals and local authorities.
The day includes in-person events and online webinars covering responsible artificial intelligence, apprenticeships, digital records, patient flow, literacy support and Sláintecare. Together, the sessions show how public bodies are testing practical ways to improve services for communities across Ireland.
Public Service Transformation Week 2026 programme
The morning begins with an innovation meeting involving the Spark Nursing and Midwifery Fellowship in Cavan and Monaghan, alongside a Public Service Apprenticeship Employer Symposium in Dublin. The apprenticeship event will examine how the model can help public organisations address current and future skills needs.
According to the programme, annual apprentice registrations reached 286 in 2025, compared with 67 in 2022. There were also 566 apprentices across the Civil and Public Service. The symposium is aimed at professionals working in human resources, recruitment, workforce planning, learning and development and related areas.
Digital skills, AI and future workforce development
Several sessions will examine how technology can support public servants while maintaining strong governance and public trust. The Department of Transport will host an online session titled “AI in Action: A People Centred Approach”, focusing on staff engagement, responsible experimentation, training and safe implementation.
Bord Bia will also host a Knowledge Café on collective capability. Its session will explore graduate development, knowledge management, peer learning, communities of practice and AI-enabled collaboration. Meanwhile, the National Archives will outline work aimed at preserving Ireland’s State records in a digital environment.
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Healthcare reform and improved access
Healthcare is a major theme on 12 November. The Health Service Executive (HSE) will present its Access Accelerator Initiative, which supports frontline teams working to reduce waiting times in dermatology, ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat services, and plastic surgery.
St James’s Hospital will separately discuss its Lean and digital transformation journey. The session will focus on patient flow, bed capacity, discharge planning, multidisciplinary huddles and escalation processes. The Department of Health and HSE will also host a Sláintecare webinar examining access, capacity and quality across Ireland’s health services.
Other events include a healthcare innovation video and a podcast on StrokeLINK, which aims to make stroke information easier to access and understand.
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Literacy, participation and local innovation
SOLAS will host a family literacy workshop with Neil Griffiths, creator of the Story Sack concept. The event supports Ireland’s Adult Literacy for Life plan and highlights practical approaches for helping families develop reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills.
Clare County Council will showcase innovation in local authority services, including participation by children and young people in decision-making. Additional sessions will address operational excellence, AI in public services through the Office of the Attorney General, and eLearning for public participation.
Why the programme matters
The schedule reflects the broad reach of public service reform, involving organisations such as the HSE, SOLAS, Bord Bia, the Department of Transport, the Department of Health, the National Archives and local authorities. It also supports wider government priorities linked to digitalisation, workforce planning, healthcare access and inclusive service design.
Public Service Transformation Week 2026 provides a practical forum for sharing ideas rather than simply discussing policy. The key takeaway is that successful reform depends on people, evidence, collaboration and technology working together to make services more accessible and effective.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie