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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. - Institute of Personnel Development Conference.

John Bruton

Question:

4 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will elaborate on his remarks to the Institute of Personnel Development's conference on 6 October, 1997. [16325/97]

I attended the Institute of Personnel and Development conference in the Alexander Hotel on Monday, 6 October. The text of my speech has been released by the Government Information Service and has also been laid before this House.

The theme of the conference was "sustaining high performance — the people paradox". The central issue was how organisations cultivate and sustain a significantly higher level of performance from their people. I answered questions in some detail last week on the progress of the strategic management initiative generally and I will now reply on the performance management system.

In my remarks to the Institute of Personnel and Development I talked about the need to embrace change at an unprecedented pace. I pointed out that it is the performance of people, based on their knowledge and skills, which provides the foundations for successful organisations. I then turned to the experience of managing change in the Civil Service which, in common with many other public service organisations, is looking at more effective ways of working.

The overall framework for change is provided by the strategic management initiative. The Public Service Management Act 1997, which commenced from 1 September this year, provides that all Departments must prepare statements of strategy by 1 March 1998. These statements of strategy will set the goals and objectives for Departments and the strategies to achieve them. In this context, emphasis is being placed on developing and utilising the skills of the staff to better meet the needs of Departments. Therefore the key element in ensuring the organisational goals are achieved by Departments will be the development of an effective system for managing performance within Departments.

Hay Management Consultants have been engaged to work with the Civil Service on the design and development of the performance management system within the Civil Service. Work is now being completed on its design and development and this will be ready by the end of this year.

The detailed implementation phase is due to start in January 1998. It will contain the following elements. As a first step, clear objectives for the organisation will be set. People will be clear about their role in the Civil Service and the skills and competencies which they require to perform effectively. Senior managers will be the leaders and the "role models" for the new performance management process. It will be "owned" by all staff. All staff will be given training to implement it.

This is clearly a major agenda for change which will require the active co-operation of many people. I see the partnership approach as being very important to achieve the trust between managers and staff which is at the heart of a fundamental change process. I am asking the recently established implementation group to press on with this process which is of benefit not only to customers of the Civil Service but to civil servants.

How does the Taoiseach reconcile what he said in his speech, about excellent service to the customer being a top priority for all Government Departments, with the disgraceful treatment by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform of 2,000 refugees who had to wait in the rain for certain cards to be renewed?

That matter will come up on an Adjournment debate.

So it will, but this is entirely relevant to this question.

It is not in order, however, when it is a matter for the Adjournment debate.

The question is on the Order Paper.

On a point of order, I do not wish to be in dispute with you, a Cheann Comhairle, but the Taoiseach referred to the need for the Civil Service to be highly responsive to customers and their needs. Does he regard asylum seekers as customers of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform? Does he regard it as appropriate that they should be left in these disgraceful conditions? Would Irish born people have been left waiting on St. Stephen's Green in these conditions? Does the Taoiseach believe he, the Government and those directly involved owe the people concerned an apology?

I do not believe it is part of the question.

People should never have to stand in long queues either inside or outside buildings. I was in the vicinity of St. Stephen's Green last Saturday and I happened to see the unfortunate people who had been standing in lashing rain for several hours. I raised the matter yesterday and asked what arrangements are being made to deal with it.

Deputy Bruton also asked whether this would happen if those concerned were Irish. Unfortunately, it happens every day, both in the passport office and the registrar's office that deals with birth, marriage and death certificates. This happens every day of the year. Over time, and with all party support, the performance management system will help make available more satisfactory facilities to deal with these issues, which should have been dealt with by successive Governments.

Is the Taoiseach aware that as far as the passports office is concerned, waiting facilities have been provided but no facilities were provided——

That is a matter for another Minister and another Department.

——for the people concerned who were summoned by the Department to appear on that day? Can the Taoiseach guarantee this will not happen again?

This is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It does not come within the Taoiseach's remit.

It does.

I have given permission to a Deputy to raise this matter on the Adjournment tonight. It is not in order to anticipate that debate.

A Cheann Comhairle, you allowed the Taoiseach to give a lengthy, and not particularly informative, reply on this topic of strategic management and service to the customer. I have put a specific example of very bad service to the customer to him, and I am asking, given his interest in strategic management and his responsibility for it, if he will take any action to deal with this matter?

The Taoiseach told the Deputy he would look after it on Monday.

He said that he would inquire.

It was a general question. This is a specific matter relating to another Department and I have ruled that it is not in order to discuss it at this stage. In any event, it is coming up for discussion on the Adjournment tonight.

Question No. 5 has been postponed. We now proceed to Priority Questions to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.

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