E-services are being extended to include the ‘Unique notification of change in address’ system under which, thanks to a portal designed by Alert communications, those who move residence do not need to inform government departments one by one.

Instead, they can just input their new address on the government site and click on the government entities they wish to notify, Investments, Industry, and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt told a press conference yesterday.

This is the first service that is being developed through the e-Gov alliance, and Alert communications is one of the 14 companies which has joined the alliance.

“This system is not only of assistance to the public but also for us to check the efficiency of certain government departments,” Minister Gatt said.

It is up to the government departments to make sure they have received the new details and send a notification to the user.

Dr Gatt said the service was of utmost significance as it brought together government departments and entities from the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) to National Insurance (NI) which always worked as separate units. He said that this was an important service for businesses, companies and individuals.

Alert communications managing director Claudine Cassar, said that through access to the portal, the users can log on their e-identity on www.changeaddress.gov.mt and choose from three versions – English, Maltese or non-graphic for those with a slow service and those with a visual impairment.

The site also offers users the option to send e-cards to friends to let them know that they have moved lodging.

Dr Gatt said that another service was being commissioned to Alert communications. This involves the e-democracy service, a system under which the government can have feedback from the public through electronic mailing lists, peer-to-peer networks, collaborative software, wikis, Internet forums and blogs.

Asked about the Blueskies broadband Internet scheme, Dr Gatt said he was surprised by the huge response from the public. This initiative was launched for those who did not have the Internet and who, thanks to this scheme, can have access to the service for e3 (Lm1.29) a month.

Dr Gatt said they had expected around 5,000 applications, but there was a strong conviction that more than the estimated number would apply.

“The government intends to accept the highest number of applications possible,” Dr Gatt said.

“The e-Gov alliance with Maltese private companies should lead us towards reaching the goal we envisioned for Malta to become The Smart Island, and where by 2010 all government services will be online.”

Dr Gatt said it would be useless to have government services online if not everyone has broadband Internet at home and for this reason he invited those without this service to go to Merchants Street, Valletta on Saturday and at the Gozo ministry on Sunday for registration.