Vol. 446 No. 4
10 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach if the initiative he established on strategic management in the Irish public service has reported yet; if so, the changes in management procedures outlined in the report; and whether he intends to publish its findings. [1404/94]
The Strategic Management Initiative which I announced in February last set down two specific Government decisions as follows: (i) that each Secretary and head of office put in place a process of strategic management, within the framework of the Programme for Partnership Government, the National Development Plan and the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and, as a first step by end September of this year, produce a statement of strategy for their Department or office; (ii) that a new co-ordinating group of secretaries be established with a three part remit: to facilitate the preparation of strategy statements in Departments and offices; to recommend the ways in which interacting departmental strategies should be co-ordinated to achieve the benefits of an overall view and to recommend management changes to enable individual secretaries to manage more efficiently and effectively.
The present position is that the process of strategic management is in place right across the Civil Service and each Department and office has produced or will shortly finalise a strategy statement. Such statements are, of course, only the beginning of the process. The next phase will involve developing implementation programmes for achieving the strategic goals identified, including in certain cases organisational changes. The co-ordinating group of secretaries is now developing best practice from the strategy statements and working with all secretaries and heads of offices to put that best practice into operation across the Civil Service. Dialogue between the group and individual secretaries is proceeding. The co-ordinating group is producing a first report to Government on possible approaches to interacting strategies across individual departmental areas of activity and on changes, specifically in the personnel and finance areas, which will assist departmental managements to manage better. I understand the co-ordinating group will make that first report to Government next month.
I am satisfied that the Strategic Management Initiative was, is and will be a particularly worthwhile initiative. Departments and offices have stated that they already have benefited significantly from improved internal communication and greater clarity of objectives within their areas of responsibility. The outcome in terms of statements of strategy across the Civil Service and the identification of obstacles to good management will enable the Government to consider how best the process may be developed and accelerated.
The Government look forward to having the first report of the co-ordinating group. As I said in February last, strategic management must become an ongoing process in Departments and the real benefits will come only from commitment over time. For their part the Government will provide the political leadership and support to ensure that those benefits are realised.
When the Taoiseach answered questions on this matter last March he said he hoped the plan would be in place within six months. Is he disappointed that the co-ordinating group has not yet reported to Government? Have any of the Departments that have reported made recommendations about possible joint ventures between the State and private companies?
We asked the Departments to report back within six months and practically all reports were received by that time. However, some were rather weak and we discussed how they could be strengthened, which took some extra time. The process is in place and the question of possible joint ventures with commercial State bodies is included.
I am not sure that I understand what is going on. Submissions are being made by individual Departments and are being co-ordinated centrally to comprise a report with specific proposals for action by Government. Is this any more fundamental than streamlining internal management in Departments, or will it look at the wider question of public service reform? Will the report be laid before this House since public service reform is an issue of considerable importance and we should have an opportunity to discuss it?
I am not so sure that Deputy Rabbitte fully understands what is going on relating to the setting of corporate objectives and working out a strategic statement of departmental goals. To give him some flavour of what is happening, the statement of strategy completed today comprises four sections, as follows: (1) description of a strategic management process within individual Departments and offices; (2) a short statement of the Department's current mandate and of the key factors for success for the Department if it is to fulfil its mandate and, based on those success factors, clarification of the essential function of that Department; (3) a clear statement of the Department's major goals over the next three to five years; and (4) objectives for the divisions in the Department stated in outcome terms and showing the manner in which these objectives support the departmental goals.
Changes are taking place and management has to respond to those changes and manage them. We in Government have a co-ordinating role to ensure that the objectives set out in the National Development Plan, in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and in the Programme for a Partnership Government are met. It is only by having each Department draw up its own strategic management plan that we will ensure that the objectives set out are achieved by the Departments and that we can be satisfied at Government level that this will happen.
I am obliged to the Taoiseach for that clarification. I understand things a little better now. Are we going to catch sight of this report and will the House be enabled to discuss it, or is this purely an internal document for Government?
The co-ordinating group of secretaries will be reporting to the Government, hopefully, next month. Where we go from there is a matter for decision by the Government.
When the Taoiseach responded on this matter in March he said the Departments would have to respond to changes in the marketplace. Have any of the Departments that have reported recommended that State bodies under their jurisdiction should be privatised or should have joint ventures with outside private interests?
I am not prepared to discuss specific elements. It is a matter for the Deputy as to whether she wishes to put down individual questions in respect of each Department.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if a recommendation came from the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications in relation to the disposal of the airports and in respect of Telecom?
The Deputy raised a specific matter.
The Taoiseach invited me to be specific.
I said that the Deputy might be specific in respect of questions to Departments.
The Taoiseach is aware I know what is happening.
In case the Deputy did not understand, those issues should be directed by specific questions to the Departments involved and I am sure the Ministers concerned will give the Deputy the appropriate information.
On a point of order, as the Taoiseach launched the strategic management plan will that group report to him and his Department?
As I said in my response, the group of secretaries must co-ordinate all the responses and then report to the Government, but it has not yet done so.
We will now move to Question No. 11.
Does that initiative include the Office of the Attorney General?
Let us not be facetious.
It is a serious question.
Deputy, I have moved on to another question.
Does the streamlining of the managerial procedures envisaged by the Taoiseach encompass the Office of the Attorney General? I consider that the most pertinent question the public want answered today.
If the Deputy puts down a question he will get an answer to it.
Is it included?
I have gone to another question.
I apologise for that, but the Taoiseach can indicate if it is included.
The Deputy had an opportunity to raise that question earlier.
