Dr Evelyn O'Connor, project lead in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform presents the benefits of open data and the strategy adopted by Ireland for developing the CKAN open data portal for Ireland data.gov.ie

1. Open Data
Dublinked Conference
7th May 2015
Evelyn O’Connor
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

2. Background
• Digital world - massive amount of data produced
• Data being used to transform planning, delivery and
management of services
• “Open means anyone can freely access, use, modify,
and share for any purpose (subject, at most, to
requirements that preserve provenance and openness)”
(http://opendefinition.org/)
• The concept of Open Data is about making data held by
public bodies available and easily accessible

3. Examples Open Data Published
Examples of Published Data

4. Data is valuable
• Powerful role in the Public Service reform agenda
• Referenced in a number of key strategies/plans (PSRP,
ICT strategy, eGovernment strategy, CSR)
• Open Data core to the Open Government Partnership
National Action Plan 2014-2016
• Help comply with legislative requirements

5. Benefits
• Social, economic and political benefits
• Transparency, citizen engagement and improve services
• Improve risk management, depth of policy analysis and
create efficiencies
• business innovation and economic growth
• Increase data sharing and innovative use across PS

6. Open Data Initiative – strategy adopted
• National Open Data Portal and Insight’s reports launched on 22 July
• Public Bodies meeting 29 July and public meeting 8 September
• 3 main streams we need to progress in tandem:
1. Further develop the portal - Audit datasets and populate it and
link to other existing portals
2. Develop user interest
3. Develop an action-oriented Open Data strategy/plan
• Formed PBWG and monthly meetings held
• Issued RFT – engaged consortium for provision of specific expertise
and technical advice and support – developed work programme

7. 7
 http://data.gov.ie/

8. Nature of Datasets on portal
• Portal data.gov.ie – 520+ datasets from central Govt and agencies
– statistical -Census data (population, demographics, employment)
– geospatial datasets
– Public expenditure
– Environmental
– Energy
– Housing
– Heritage
• Doesn’t include: unpublished, not machine readable, where
licensed for fee, limited from cultural / academia, LA datasets
• Scope for more – what data do you need / can you use?

9. Progress in Implementation
• Governance
– PBWG
– draft spec for OD Governance Board
• Technical framework
– metadata, data formats, standards, licencing, unique identifiers;
– licensing paper – public consultation for 5 weeks
• Develop the portal (harvest, improve look and feel)
• Data audits and publication

10. Progress continued
• Dissemination and Capacity building - for example
– Participated in workshops
– Sponsored Apps competition
– Seminar 11th Feb
– Open Data Workshop 19th Feb
– Met with NI colleagues 27th Feb
– Growing an Open Data Enterprise Economy 3rd
March
– Technical Training on Open Data for PBs 10th March
• Future Strategy

11. Future Strategy
Draft Outline template
• Vision and objectives
• Context
• Delivering actions under various components
– Governance
– Technical framework
– Data sources
– Portal
– Data usage
– Data privacy
– Role/responsibilities of DPER
– Role/responsibilities of public bodies
• Continuous improvement
• Success measures

12. Strategy consultation paper
• Engage all interested stakeholders to identify key issues and
elements for inclusion
• Vision – where do we want to get to – the end game
– Open view of Government
– Use of data to achieve benefits - build APs, analytics, research?
– Data as an asset
– Key players engaging – who are they?
• The journey so far - achievements
• The engine room – what are the building blocks
• ODGB in place to lead - supported by the PBWG
• Outreach and dissemination; capacity building

13. Key next steps
Strategy
• complete strategy consultation paper and publish
• complete draft technical framework and publish
• hold an event - discuss strategy and technical framework
• Process to put ODGB in place
• Launch next version of portal
• Develop guidance for public bodies in carrying out audits
• Raise awareness and promote usage - engagement
• Pilot projects

14. Your contribution
• Make use of the datasets and tell us your stories
• Participate in open data events - inform others
• Feed your input on strategy to DPER at
opendata@per.gov.ie
• Thank you
• Any Questions?

15. Open Data
Dublinked Conference
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