Vol. 548 No. 4
87 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [5173/02]
Under the SMI and in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, my Department's secretary general is required to submit, for my approval, strategy statements covering a period of three years. The current strategy statement for my Department, covering the period 2001 to 2003, inclusive, was approved by me and published last year.
The secretary general is also required under the PSMA to prepare annual reports outlining the progress made in achieving the high level objectives and priorities contained in the strategy statements. Annual reports were produced for each of the years covered by my Department's previous statement of strategy for 1998 to 2000, inclusive. Later this year the first annual report on the strategy statement for the period 2001 to 2003 will be published.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness sets out objectives for the modernisation of the Civil Service in the period 2000 to 2002, inclusive. Under the PPF each Department is required to develop performance indicators in relation to these objectives. These will be processed through the partnership structures established under Partnership 2000.
My Department's performance indicators were submitted to, and accepted by, the CSQAG, an independent body established to assess progress in achieving the objectives of the modernisation programme. I am satisfied that they provide an effective basis on which to review and measure progress on the implementation of the SMI-modernisation programme in my Department.
My Department is required to submit a report to the CSQAG detailing the progress in achieving its performance indicators in the period up to 1 April. The group will then conduct an independent assessment of the progress made by my Department in meeting the PPF objectives for the modernisation programme in the context of the final 4% payment under the PPF.
