Celebrating incredible achievements in public sector digital transformation
The Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards were launched this year, at the Shelbourne in Dublin, to showcase the achievements of public-sector organisations across 11 categories
The inaugural Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards were held at The Shelbourne, Dublin on Thursday, October 5.
Hosted by broadcaster Ivan Yates, the awards were launched this year to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in the delivery of public sector digital transformation.
Attended by 300 guests, the event showcased the incredible achievements of public sector organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing digital transformation across Ireland across 11 categories. The awards provided a much-needed platform to shine the spotlight on cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to digital transformation that have made a real impact, improved service delivery, and enhanced citizen experiences.
The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts, including:
Carole Ann Clarke, organisation development and culture transformation consultant
Mary Cleary, secretary general, Irish Computer Society (ICS)
Siobhain Duggan, director for innovation and healthcare, GS1 Ireland
Colin McHale, sales director, EMEA
Brendan Ring, digital engagement lead, National Cyber Security Centre
Emmet Ryan, technology correspondent, Business Post
The event was organised by iQuest and the Business Post. The platinum sponsor for the evening was KPMG and category sponsors included Vodafone, The Project Foundry, Version 1, Cyberskills and Irish Computer Society.
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The Best Citizen/Customer Experience Award: James Ahern, Director of Information Technology Development & Operations, Pobal; Jeff Fitzsimons - Early Years Systems Development Manager, Pobal; Emmet Ryan, Technology Correspondent, Business Post ; Ruth Shortall, Director of Early Years Operations, Pobal ; Martin Quigley, Director of Data & Analytics, Pobal and Anne-Marie Brooks, Assistant Secretary, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.Image 2 of 7
The Best Citizen/Customer Experience Award - Highly Commended: Emmet Ryan, Technology Correspondent, Business Post presents the Department of Justice a highly commended award for the Ukrainian refugee temporary permission processing system.Image 3 of 7
The GreenTech Innovation of the Year Award: Kevin Darmody, Business Systems Programme Manager, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Marion O’Brien, Director Corporate Services, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Paul Smith, Head of Solution Sales, Vodafone and Aisling McDonnell, BA / PM, Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland.Image 4 of 7
GreenTech Innovation of the Year Award - Highly Commended: Paul Smith, Head of Solution Sales, Vodafone presents the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine team a highly commended award for The National Fertiliser Database (NFD).Image 5 of 7
The Best Community Engagement Award: Paul Marray, CEO of 40C sponsors the award to Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council with Cllr Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway and Liam Conneally, CEO Galway County Council and their teams.Image 6 of 7
The Digital Skills or Talent Initiative of the Year - Highly Commended: Mary Cleary, Secretary General of the Irish Computer Society presenting a highly commended award to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for their project Navigating the Digital Healthcare Transformation: The Community Health HSE Journey to Empower Community Healthcare.Image 7 of 7
The Digital Skills or Talent Initiative of the Year: Mary Cleary, Secretary General of the Irish Computer Society presenting Sam Waide, Chief Executive Officer at Road Safety Authority & his team their award for the Road Safety Strategy (RSS) Portal.Cormac Deady, consulting partner and head of government and public sector at KPMG, said, “We are enthusiastic about acknowledging excellence and innovation in driving digital transformation within the public sector. The advancement of digitalisation within Ireland's public service is set to revolutionise interactions among citizens, businesses, and policymakers. This transformation is already helping with greater interoperability across all government and public service levels, ultimately bringing societal and economic benefits along with enhancing citizen experience. These awards provide an excellent platform to showcase the remarkable accomplishments of public sector organisations, teams, and individuals who have played a pivotal role in advancing digital transformation across Ireland.”
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The HealthTech Innovation of the Year Award: Derek Richards, Chief Science Officer, SilverCloud at Amwell; Dervila Eyres, Assistant National Director, Head of Operations Mental Health, HSE ; Derek Chambers, Acting Assistant National Director, National Mental Health Operations, HSE; Declan Ryan, CEO, The Project Foundry; Corinne Pearson, Clinical Supervisor, SilverCloud by Amwell and Liam Ryan, Ireland Country Manager, Silvercloud by Amwell. Photo by MAURA HICKEYImage 2 of 7
Excellence in Security and Privacy in Public Sector Award: Professor Donna O’Shea, Chair of Cybersecurity at MTU Cork presenting Noel Galligan, Head of ICT Infrastructure and Innovation, Pobal and his team with the award. Photo by MAURA HICKEYImage 3 of 7
Digital Leader of the Year in Public Sector Award: Winner Carmel O’Hare, Director of Corporate Services and Innovation at Monaghan County Council.Image 4 of 7
Judges Choice- Advanced Technology Award: Lieutenant Colonel Brenden Weld, Deputy Director of Ordnance Corps, Defence Forces; Carole Ann Clarke, Organisation Development and Culture Transformation Consultant Commandant and Joe Tynan, Chief Instructor, Defence Forces Armour School. Photo by MAURA HICKEYImage 5 of 7
The Judges Choice Award- Collaboration: Wayne Leitch, Lead Partnership Manager, iQuest & Business Post Live; Helen Mahon, Programme Director, DCU; Willie Whelan, Principal Officer, Information and Cyber Security, Department of Social Protection; Ivan Yates, Awards Host and Brendan Ring, Digital Engagement Lead, National Cyber Security Centre. Photo by MAURA HICKEYImage 6 of 7
The Data Innovation of the Year Award: Jamie Cudden, Smart City Lead, DCC; Payal Pandya, Business Analyst, DCC; Cormac Deady, Consulting Partner and Head of Government and Public Sector, KPMG; Nicola Graham, Smart City Operations, DCC; Darach O’Connor, Executive Manager, DCC; Grace D’Arcy, Academy of the Near Future, Connect, TCD and Claudia Bailey, Academy of the Near Future, Connect, TCD. Photo by MAURA HICKEYImage 7 of 7
The Data Innovation of the Year Award - Highly Commended: Cormac Deady, Consulting Partner and Head of Government and Public Sector, KPMG presenting the highly commended accolade to the HSE - Community Healthcare, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim Monaghan and Sligo for the Bed Utilisation App project. Photo by MAURA HICKEYAwards and winners announced on the night included:
AI Innovation of the Year Award
Winner: University College Dublin & AI_PREMie: Saving lives of mothers and babies using AI
Best Citizen/Customer Experience Award
Winner: Pobal and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: The National Childcare Scheme
Highly Commended: Department of Justice: Ukrainian refugee temporary permission processing
GreenTech Innovation of the Year Award
Winner: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI): Retrofit Development Program
Highly Commended: Department of Agriculture Food and Marine: The National Fertiliser Database (NFD)
Best Community Engagement Award
Winner: Galway County Council: Digitising Galway’s Graveyard Heritage
Digital Skills or Talent Initiative of the Year
Winner: Road Safety Authority (RSA): Road Safety Strategy Portal
Highly Commended: Health Service Executive (HSE): Navigating the Digital Healthcare Transformation: The Community Health HSE Journey to Empower Community Healthcare
HealthTech Innovation of the Year Award
Winner: Health Service Executive (HSE): National Rollout of HSE’s Guided Digital Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Service, with SilverCloud by Amwell
Excellence in Security and Privacy in Public Sector Award
Winner: Pobal: Implementation of an Information Security and Privacy Management System
Digital Leader of the Year in Public Sector
Winner: Carmel O’Hare, director of corporate services and innovation, Monaghan County Council
Data Innovation of the Year Award
Winner: Dublin City Council: Project Air View
Highly Commended: Health Service Executive: The 'Bed Utilisation App' Project
Judges Choice Award: Best Use of Advanced Technology
Winner: Defence Forces: Simulation Training with VRAI
Judges Choice Award: Best Collaboration
Winner: Cyber Security Baseline Standards & GovCore
