Sir, – As the provision of Government and local authority services migrates to a digital “do it yourself” system, can we expect a reduction in fees?
This occurred to me when renewing my driving licence online.
I am providing the home office environment to do the renewal, paying for the expensive electricity to run the process, and my computer is being used to do the online “paperwork”. Add to this the cost of my time.
All of this is based around a slow broadband connection.
My Favourite Cake: A septuagenarian Brief Encounter jollied along by quiet political fury
Rolling crises propel Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood to largest number of seats in election
Look inside: Shrewsbury Road Edwardian used for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman film for €12.5m
Paddy Daddy: Gloriously camp cabaret chronicling Mark T Cox’s intimate affairs in rural Ireland
This self-service driving licence renewal is charged at €55.
While accepting that there is a cost for everything in life, there is merit in believing that the cost of service provision must come down when a digital service pipeline is established.
If our Government wants to create a citizens’ digital workforce by proxy, it must offer a financial incentive to encourage people to engage with e-services. – Yours, etc,
JOHN TIERNEY,
Fews,
Co Waterford.