asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a management review of her Department will take place as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee.
Written Answers. - Department of Social Welfare Management Review.
19.
In accordance with Government policy as set out in the White Paper Serving the Country Better the management systems of my Department are being reviewed.
A first significant step in this direction was taken late last year when my Department was reorganised along the lines set out in the White Paper. The reorganisation of the Department involves the structuring of the Department into two separate areas. One area headed by the secretary is responsible for advising the Minister on policy matters. The other, known as the social welfare services office, deals with purely executive work and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the schemes and services of my Department. The main objective of this new approach is to enable those concerned with the operation of the various schemes to concentrate more fully on effective management and the provision of an efficient and speedy delivery of services.
This restructuring is a major step in the programme of modernisation of my Department's services which has been underway for some time and which has been largely based on the extension of the latest computer technology into practically all areas of the Department's business. The various other measures proposed in the Government's White Paper will be implemented as soon as possible. In addition to the foregoing the Department is at present in the process of engaging expert consultant assistance to undertake a review of systems with particular reference to the unemployment payments area in view of the publicity given in recent months to incidences of fraud.