# CE2004078EN.01049802.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/498 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/498

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(2004/C 78 E/0519)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3236/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 November 2003)

Subject:   Training for public servants in new technologies

Subject:

In Greece there is a growing conviction that public servants are not sufficiently well versed in new technologies and modern information systems.

Can the Commission provide the following information:

| 1. | What information does it have regarding the use of such technologies by public servants in Greece? How does this compare (in percentage terms) with the use of new technologies by public servants in other Member States and what position is occupied by Greece in this respect? |
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1.

What information does it have regarding the use of such technologies by public servants in Greece? How does this compare (in percentage terms) with the use of new technologies by public servants in other Member States and what position is occupied by Greece in this respect?

| 2. | What is the per capita outlay in Greece for the introduction of new technologies in the public sector? What position is occupied by Greece compared with other Member States in this respect? |
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2.

What is the per capita outlay in Greece for the introduction of new technologies in the public sector? What position is occupied by Greece compared with other Member States in this respect?

| 3. | Is the Commission satisfied with this information if not, what measures will it take to help ensure more comprehensive training for public servants and the improvement of computerised public services? |
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3.

Is the Commission satisfied with this information if not, what measures will it take to help ensure more comprehensive training for public servants and the improvement of computerised public services?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2003)

(16 December 2003)

Despite recent improvements, the Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that Greece should deploy additional efforts to promote the use of new technologies and modern information systems in the public service.

According to the information at the Commission's disposal, the main public service in Greece involves about 270 000 civil servants. It is estimated that approximately 20 % are using PCs. In recent years, a great effort has been undertaken in order to improve the situation. 10 000 PCs have been installed in the framework of the TAXIS system and 2 500 through the customs modernisation programme. 3 500 PCs have recently been installed in the Centres for Services to Citizens (KEP). A corresponding number of civil servants has been trained in the use of the new systems.

Also, the European Social Fund provides for financial support in this context. The 2000-2006 Operational Programme ‘Information Society’, contains a priority axe EUR 850 million dedicated to the improvement of the Public Services offered to the citizens through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This programme will contribute to increasing the number of public servants using PCs to 70 %. It will also contribute to inter-connect 100 % of the public services, including the local authorities. Another Operational Programme entitled ‘Employment and Vocational training’ has as one of its aims the training of public servants in basic ICT skills.

Finally, there is significant participation of Greek research organisations on e-Government research within the Community supported Information Society Technologies Research Programme. This enables the Greek public sector to stay at the forefront of technological developments in the e-Government area.

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