Ruairí Quinn
Question:17 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions on which the Strategic Management Initiative Co-ordinating Group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13390/98]
Written Answers. - Strategic Management Initiative.
The Strategic Management Initiative co-ordinating group was established in 1996 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made in the report, Delivering Better Government, which was published in May 1996. The group is made up of representatives from the social partners, academics and senior civil servants and has met on eight occasions, the last being in November 1997.
The terms of reference of the group are to oversee the implementation of the Government's programme for change in the Civil Service; to validate reviews of particular programmes as requested by Government; and to report regularly to Government on progress.
Following the establishment of the Implementation Group of Secretaries General and Heads of Office last July, with a mandate to drive the change process forward within the Civil Service, it was agreed that the co-ordinating group would discharge its role by considering and commenting on the regular progress reports to Government of the implementation group.
The co-ordinating group will meet again this month to consider the second report of the implementation group.