What is it?
The concept of Open Data is about making data held by public bodies available and easily accessible online for reuse and redistribution.
Open Data gives everyone access to non-personal government data which can deliver enhanced economic, social, environmental and democratic benefits to all. The Open Data Initiative is designed to benefit society by increasing the amount of governmental data available to the public, promoting enhanced innovation and fair competition.
Many of the apps we use on our phones on a daily basis rely on Open Data. Who leaves their house without checking the weather, the time of the next bus or goes to the beach without looking up the water quality, tidal times or parking facilities?
Data.gov.ie is the central portal which provides access to all governmental open data. It provides easy access to datasets that are free to use, reuse, and redistribute. The portal is operated by the Government Reform Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
How did it start?
Ireland’s Open Data Initiative began in 2014 when we joined the international Open Government Partnership. The Open Data Initiative has been very successful in Ireland and we are currently ranked 2nd in the EU Open Data Maturity assessment.
The Open Data Governance Board was established in 2016 to work in the public interest. It leads the Open Data Initiative and oversees the implementation of the Government’s Open Data Strategy. The Board is made up of 10 to 12 representatives from academia, the public service, business, media and civil society.
Reuse/Impact
We would really like to hear how you are using Open Data and if you have 10 minutes please complete a short impact assessment survey for us.
Share how you are using Open Data by submitting a Showcase which can be featured on the Portal.
Open Data Sources
The Open Data listed in data.gov.ie is published by Government Departments and Public Bodies. Many datasets are individually published and updated by public organisations. Other datasets are harvested daily from existing, domain-specific data catalogues.
SUGGEST A DATASET
If you would like to suggest a new dataset to publish, or if you have any comments about existing datasets, please visit the Suggest a Dataset page >
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
If you have any questions or comments about data.gov.ie or Open Data, please contact the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform at opendata@per.gov.ie >
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