Vol. 548 No. 4
200 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the updated achievement of each target set for his Department under the strategic management initiative; if the targets in question are sufficiently measurable, quantifiable and focused on outcomes rather than activities to be an effective tool of real accountability; and if not, if he proposes to refine the targets. [5183/02]
My Department's performance indicators for the implementation of the current phase of the strategic management initiative, SMI-public service modernisation programme are incorporated in my updated Department's business plan which is available on our website at www.gov.ie/tourism-sport. The performance indicators conform to the SMART principle as set out in the SMI implementation group's guidelines for the preparation of business plans, that is, they are specific; measurable; agreed; realistic and timebound. The Department's indicators have been agreed with staff through the Department's partnership process.
As the Deputy may be aware, a Civil Service quality assurance group, QAG, has been established to monitor and assess progress on the implementation of the modernisation programme in accordance with the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. In June 2001, my Department was notified by the QAG that, having completed an examination of the performance indicators provided by the Department, the QAG was satisfied that they met the requirements set out in the PPF.
