25.5.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 184/31
— introduction of a mandatory assessment of any impact on cross-border interoperability of introducing or altering a public service information system; — co-creation of an ecosystem of interoperability solutions for the EU public sector (introduction of catalogues of recognised interoperability assets that can be used by administrations and in policymaking, such as digital tools, specifications or solutions), so that public administrations at all levels in the EU and other stakeholders can contribute to the creation, improvement and re-use of such solutions, thus enabling them to innovate together and create public value; — making granting of certain European Union funding for creating or strengthening national information systems conditional on using solutions and principles pre-defined by the European Union (8).
3.
General comments 3.1.
Like the Commission, the EESC believes that interoperability between public services is an essential requirement for a digital single market to be established and for remaining barriers in the physical market to be removed (9). 3.2.
Setting a target of 2030 for public services being delivered 100 % online across the European Union entails speeding up and upgrading a trans-European network that connects them and uses common technical, semantic, legal and organisational components, among others. 3.3.
However, achieving this objective must not lead to a national policy of complete digitalisation of public services to the detriment of those provided in person; it should take into consideration the most vulnerable population groups, since everyone must have access to public services provided in person.
Training on digital skills should be available to everyone, but in particular to these population groups. 3.4.
Instead of reducing personnel, the development and operation of digital services will, initially, create an additional need for personnel.
Adequate staffing is a prerequisite for a successful digital transformation.
3.5.
Digitalisation should serve to provide a better public service.
3.6.
As the EESC stated in its earlier opinion, ‘it should not ... be about replacing people with computers, but rather about freeing up people’s time for more rewarding tasks’ (10). 3.7.
Digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence are not a means of legitimising blanket job cuts.
The elimination of routine tasks due to digitalisation should lead to employees having more time for demanding work and advising people. 3.8.
In addition, in 2030 there will certainly be a minority of digitally excluded people who will only have access to public services in person (11).
Analogue access routes for people to use public services must not be made more difficult or closed in the course of digitalisation. 3.9.
The EESC therefore welcomes the fact that this communication seeks to deepen and improve the level of interoperability of the public sector by establishing a legal framework defined at EU level (12).
(8)
(9) (10)
(11) (12)
See the explanatory document accompanying the proposal for a regulation and the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a strengthened public sector interoperability policy Linking public services, supporting public policies and delivering public benefits Towards an ‘Interoperable Europe’.
Already in its opinion TEN/635 — European Interoperability Framework — Implementation Strategy, the EESC pointed out the importance of interoperability for the completion of the digital single market (OJ C 81, 2.3.2018, p. 176).
See EESC Opinion on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: The European eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 — Harnessing ICT to promote smart, sustainable and innovative Government’, and on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Towards interoperability for European public services’ (OJ C 376, 22.12.2011, p. 92).
This is an ongoing concern addressed by EESC opinions (OJ C 81, 2.3.2018, p. 176).
The EESC has expressed its support in previous opinions for all European Union projects aimed at achieving the objectives of the European Union’s digital transition (OJ C 365, 23.9.2022, p. 13).