Ireland’s public services will take centre stage on Thursday 12 November during Public Service Transformation Week 2026, with a programme focused on artificial intelligence, healthcare innovation, apprenticeships, digital records and better citizen services.
Organised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the day brings together government departments, public bodies, healthcare teams, local authorities and learning organisations. The programme includes online webinars, in-person workshops, internal meetings and practical showcases.
Public Service Transformation Week 2026: Main themes
The Thursday schedule reflects the broad modernisation agenda across Ireland’s public service. Sessions will examine how technology, workforce development and service redesign can improve outcomes for staff and communities.
- Responsible artificial intelligence: The Department of Transport will discuss a people-centred approach to introducing AI through governance, staff engagement and responsible experimentation.
- Healthcare improvement: The HSE will showcase initiatives designed to reduce waiting times, while St James’s Hospital will explore digital patient-flow management and discharge planning.
- Skills and apprenticeships: The Public Service Apprenticeship Employer Symposium will focus on recruitment, workforce planning and future skills.
- Digital preservation: National Archives Ireland will outline work to protect State records in the digital age.
- Community participation: Clare County Council sessions will consider innovation in local authority services and children and young people’s involvement in decision-making.
Key events taking place on 12 November
AI, digital government and operational reform
Among the day’s featured sessions are “AI in Action: A People Centred Approach”, a knowledge café hosted by Bord Bia on future workforce development, and “Getting Digital Projects off the Ground”. The Office of the Attorney General will also present practical work involving AI in public services.
These discussions are relevant to organisations across the Irish public sector, including gov.ie departments, local authorities and State agencies. They also align with wider digital governance responsibilities involving bodies such as the Data Protection Commission and the National Cyber Security Centre.
Healthcare transformation and access
The HSE Access Accelerator Webinar will present frontline projects in dermatology, ophthalmology, ENT and plastic surgery. The initiative supports healthcare teams in designing, testing and scaling reforms intended to improve access and reduce waiting times.
A separate St James’s Hospital webinar will examine how Lean visual management, multidisciplinary huddles and digital tools can create a clearer view of beds, patient flow and discharge barriers. The Sláintecare webinar, hosted by the Department of Health and the HSE, will focus on access, capacity and quality across health services.
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Workforce development and literacy
The apprenticeship symposium will bring together public servants interested in HR, recruitment, learning and development and workforce planning. The source programme notes that apprentice registrations reached 286 in 2025, compared with 67 in 2022, with 566 apprentices across the Civil and Public Service.
SOLAS will host a practical family literacy workshop linked to the Adult Literacy for Life plan. The session will explore ways to support reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills through engaging activities for families.
Why the programme matters
The events demonstrate that public service reform is not limited to technology. It also involves stronger skills pipelines, inclusive decision-making, reliable records, better healthcare coordination and services designed around the needs of people.
Departments and agencies including the HSE, SOLAS, Bord Bia, the Department of Transport, National Archives Ireland and Clare County Council will share examples that may be adapted elsewhere. The programme also supports cross-government learning among bodies such as the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority and other public service organisations.
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Conclusion
Public Service Transformation Week 2026 offers a detailed look at how Ireland is developing more responsive, digitally capable and people-focused public services. Thursday’s programme makes clear that successful transformation depends on combining innovation with responsible governance, skilled staff and practical improvements for citizens.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie