asked the Minister for the Public Service (a) the function served by Seirbhís Phoiblí, the new Journal of his Department; (b) whether this function was not adequately discharged by other organs already; (c) the cost of (i) designing, (ii) printing and (iii) distributing Vol. 1, No. 1, of this journal; (d) by whom this cost is borne; and (e) whether any public servants were engaged either full-time or part-time, in its production, and, if so, how many.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - DPS Journal
64.
(a) The function of Seirbhís Phoiblí is to serve as a forum for the dissemination and exchange of information about developments occurring or planned in relation to the organisation and management of the public service. The specific objectives, as set out in the introduction to the first issue, are:
To publicise significant developments in regard to the management, organisation and renewal of the public service.
To publish articles on management science which will be of particular interest to public service management personnel.
To foster discussion about the management, organisation and development of the public service and to provide a forum for this purpose.
(b) While I am aware that there are other organs which deal generally with developments affecting the public service, I am satisfied that there is a need for this new journal, which is more specifically linked with on-going activities in the public service and which will help to improve communications between that service and the community at large. I might add that the Public Service Advisory Council in its latest report, for the year ended 31 October 1979, has endorsed the publication of periodic journals about the activities of Government Departments as being helpful to a better understanding of these agencies.
(c) Final costs associated with the first issue are not yet available but the approximate figures are (i) Design, £250; (ii) Printing, £1,670; (iii) Distribution. There were no specific costs under this head apart from the postage charge, not exceeding £20, for a small number of copies. Most copies were distributed through the normal Government messenger services without any additional cost.
(d) The cost of printing is borne by the Stationery Office and any other costs fall on my Department's Vote.
(e) Most of the articles in the Journal were written outside official hours in the authors' private time. Apart from the staff who were engaged part-time, for brief periods, on reviewing, proof-reading and other activities connected with the publication, the editing of the Journal occupies a small portion of the time of one officer in my Department.
Questions Nos. 65 and 66 have gone for written reply.