Vol. 467 No. 2
2 Mr. O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the progress if any, that has been made in implementing the recommendation of the co-ordinating group of secretaries established under the Strategic Management Initiative; and the constitutional difficulties, if any, he envisages in implementing these recommendations. [12091/96]
The second report of the co-ordinating group of secretaries entitled Delivering Better Government — A Programme of Change for the Irish Civil Service was launched on 2 May last. The central focus of the programme is the provision of excellent quality services to all customers of the Civil Service. This comprehensive report sets out the vision for the Civil Service of the future and provides a clear framework within which consistent and ongoing progress can be achieved.
Work is already under way on implementing the recommendations of the report. A new co-ordinating group has been set up to oversee its implementation. The terms of reference of this co-ordinating group are: (i) to oversee the implementation of the Government's programme for change in the Civil Service; (ii) to validate reviews of particular programmes as requested by Government, and, (iii) to report regularly to Government on progress.
Membership of the co-ordinating group is drawn from both the public and private sectors and the first meeting will be held on 24 June. It includes representatives of the public service trade unions.
A number of working groups are also being established to address the following key areas identified in the report: quality customer service; human resource management; financial management; open and transparent service delivery; regulatory reform, and, information technology and systems. These working groups will encompass management and front-line issues.
A customer service group has already been set up in the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications to draft a code of practice for services to the customers of commercial semi-State bodies.
An advisory group on legislation has also been established. This group which has met many types is examining the reform of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 and will shortly make proposals to Government. The work is being done in full consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the changes being recommended will maintain the essential requirement of governmental-ministerial accountability under the Constitution to the Dáil.
I am delighted progress is being made in this matter because we all subscribe to the notion of a better quality public service. There is a great deal of confusion about some of the terminology in the documents published to date. Will the Minister of State clarify what is meant by "the outcomes for which Ministers are supposed to be responsible" and "the outputs for which Department secretaries are supposed to be responsible"? Will she agree that while we all subscribe to the notion of a better quality public service we should not seek to achieve this at the expense of accountability? Now that it is being proposed that, for legal purposes, the effective head of a Department will be the Department Secretary will she assure us the Government is bearing in mind Ministers' constitutional responsibility to administer their Departments and their constitutional duty to be accountable?
On the Ministers and Secretaries Act, a Bill, the heads of which are ready, is expected in the autumn. We hope it will go before Government in the next few weeks. Any changes to the Ministers and Secretaries Act will be in accordance with the recommendations of the Attorney General. His opinion will be essential in ensuring that all constitutional requirements are met and that ultimately individual Ministers are responsible to the Dáil for what happens in their Departments. I do not see any conflict.
The Deputy asked, in raising the question of outcomes versus outputs what the legal head of a Department, more than likely the secretary, will be responsible for vis-à-vis the Minister. This matter will be dealt with in depth. The legislative group which met many times is ensuring that the final recommendations and any changes to existing legislation will comply fully with constitutional requirements. All of the Deputy's concerns are being taken on board. If any recommendation is constitutionally questionable we will not go ahead with it.
I fully accept that as it is one of the essential requirements. I refer the Deputy to Delivering Better Government page 23, where that point is made. I am acutely conscious of the need to ensure that what we bring back to this House meets the constitutional requirement and in no way dilutes the constitutional requirement of Ministers or the Government to this House.
Will the Minister of State clarify two points? When can we expect the amending legislation and is it intended it will incorporate all the proposals in the public domain?
Does the Deputy mean all the proposals referred to in Delivering Better Government?
Yes.
It will incorporate only legislative changes which come under the Ministers and Secretaries Act. That will be the basis of this legislation. It will not be the only legislation introduced but inasmuch as we are talking about amending the Ministers and Secretaries Act that is what it will be about.
When can we expect the legislation?
It is always dangerous to promise legislation by a certain date because it would be handing fodder to the Deputy for the Order of Business for weeks to come. I hope it will be cleared by Cabinet in the near future and published shortly after. I hope — as I think the Taoiseach said this morning on the Order of Business — that in the autumn we will debate the issues in this House.
I welcome the strategic management initiative. The Minister will be aware that following much parliamentary pressure the Taoiseach agreed to have the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions included in the strategic management intiative review. What are the interim recommendations in relation to the DPP's office? Will there be amending legislation to allow, for example, an annual report to be delivered to the Houses of Oireachtas from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions? Will she outline any other interim recommendations?
I will not outline any interim recommendations now but I would be pleased to take a specific question from the Deputy on the DPP's office if that would help.
Does the Minister of State have an update on the Taoiseach's speech at the strategic management initiative seminar last month where he put forward the idea of a reward system for the Civil Service? Has the Taoiseach done anything further about that?
The reward system is referred to performance management. Part of the role of performance management is to look at the need to reward good performance but it is not the only part of it. The whole area of performance management is being dealt with by the human resource management group. It is important to get it right because much of the work done in the Civil and public service is teamwork. We must be sure if we are to be in a position to reward individuals that we do not demoralise the greater team. At the same time we must be in a position to recognise good performance and by doing so encourage all others to raise their game to that level. There is much involved in the human resource management area and there are many different views as to how this is best done. I am not qualified to give an opinion today as to the final outcome or what the final proposals will be except to say it will be an active part of the agenda of the human resource management working group.
We come to questions nominated for priority. Question No. 3.
