Work to establish a network of regional community hubs remains on track to report back to Tynwald by June, but concerns have been raised about a potential gap in face-to-face services in the interim.
Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford provided an update on the project, which aims to respond to the Tynwald resolution on regional hubs.
He acknowledged that while moving government services online brings benefits, there are challenges.
“We do have to recognise there are challenges, and we don’t want people being left behind,” Mr Ashford said.
Third Sector
Mr Ashford said that work is ongoing with stakeholders, including third sector organisations and local authorities, to understand current support available for digital assistance.
“We have been engaging with stakeholders who already provide digital enablement, including in the third sector, such as places such as Live at Home, and also the local authorities,” he said.
However, Lawrie Hooper raised concerns about the gap between the withdrawal of services and the rollout of a new model, citing the end of face-to-face vehicle licensing at the end of March.
“There will be at least a gap until, assuming this honourable court approved something in June, the government then has to go away and roll it out,” Mr Hooper said.
“We could be looking at a massive disconnect here between government withdrawing services and going online, but not replacing those services in a face to face way for those that need it.”
Engaging
The minister said the government was conscious of the gap and was engaging with stakeholders to ensure support remains available.
“There are areas on the island, such as the libraries, such as the commissioners, such as third sector organisations that will help people access either online or provide them with the paper forms and print them off for people,” he said.
Julie Edge MHK raised concerns about digital exclusion, citing her own experience with the recent electoral roll form which used a QR code.
“I tried to use a QR code. It did not work. I didn’t have an envelope to send it back. I know how to get it back, but a lot of people on our island won’t”, she said.
Mr Ashford confirmed there is no central government policy on QR codes and acknowledged lessons needed to be learned from the campaign.