Ireland’s Public Service Transformation Week will continue on Friday, 13 November 2026, with a full programme focused on innovation, artificial intelligence, public trust, cybersecurity and better service design. The schedule brings together public bodies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Central Statistics Office (CSO), Department of Transport and local authorities.
Published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the programme highlights how Ireland’s public service is testing practical ways to improve healthcare, digital access, collaboration and organisational capability.
Public Service Transformation Week puts practical innovation centre stage
The day begins with an HSE Mid West showcase at University Hospital Limerick. From 9am to 2.30pm, attendees can learn about the Spark Innovation Programme, available funding and local supports for developing and testing healthcare improvements.
A separate Spark Connect Toolkit Workshop for the West Galway CAMHS team will explore service pathways, identify pressure points and help refine an innovation project. The workshop demonstrates the importance of structured co-design when public services are responding to complex needs.
Trust, relationships and inclusive public services
At 11am, a cross-departmental webinar will examine relational public services. The session will consider how trust, collaboration and stronger human relationships can improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Participating organisations include the Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Justice, Department of Health, Department of Education and Youth, and Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Another 11am session, led by TU Dublin and Dublin City University’s ADAPT Centre, will explore Age-Friendly AI. The initiative focuses on ensuring older people’s experiences and concerns help shape the design, governance and delivery of artificial intelligence in public services.
The HSE will also host a webinar on co-designing its Patient Public Partnership Advisory Group, including how public and patient contributors helped develop its terms of reference and working practices.
AI, greenways and public-sector capability
Pobal’s hybrid session, “From Curiosity to Capability”, will examine practical uses of AI agents, knowledge assistants and AI-supported operational processes. The discussion will focus on lessons from experimentation, including the challenges involved in turning emerging technology into measurable service improvements.
The Department of Transport will present the Greenways website, explaining how collaboration shaped a central platform for routes, facilities, attractions and visitor information. Clare County Council will also hold an Innovation Marketplace for sharing projects that could be adapted across the organisation.
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Trust Survey 2025 and public-sector wellbeing
At 2pm, the CSO will discuss the third round of its Trust Survey, conducted in 2025. The survey covers interpersonal and institutional trust, satisfaction with public services, expectations of government, political participation and public attitudes towards the use of AI.
The Civil Service Employee Assistance Service will launch its Calm Corner, a digital wellbeing resource featuring recorded meditations for staff. A cybersecurity awareness video from HSE Technology and Transformation will also explain why everyday cyber awareness is essential across public services.
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Why the programme matters
Public Service Transformation Week shows that modernisation is not limited to new technology. It also involves listening to service users, supporting staff, improving institutional trust and sharing ideas between departments, agencies and local government.
From HSE healthcare innovation and age-friendly AI to CSO research and cybersecurity education, Friday’s programme presents a broad view of public service reform in Ireland. The wider public service ecosystem—including bodies such as the National Transport Authority, Tusla and the Environmental Protection Agency—depends on this kind of cooperation to deliver accessible and trusted services.
The key takeaway: Public Service Transformation Week 2026 places people, evidence and responsible innovation at the heart of Ireland’s digital government agenda.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
