Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

35 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of staff working in each of the four sections on Government policy direction and co-ordination set out in his Department's strategy statement; if he has satisfied himself that they are properly staffed; if he has further satisfied himself that the goals set out in the statement are being achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6867/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

36 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself with his Department's progress on the key issues for the implementation of his Department's strategy statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6869/99]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.

The four sections dealing with Government policy and direction, as set out in my Depart ment's strategy statement, are the Northern Ireland division, the European and international affairs division, the economic and social policy division, and the Strategic Management Initiative division. There are seven staff in the Northern Ireland division, seven in the European and international affairs division, 19 in the economic and social policy division, and seven in the Strategic Management Initiative division. Overall, good progress has been made in achieving the goals set out in the strategy statement in each of these divisions.

Taking into consideration what was set out in my Department's strategy statement relating to policy on Northern Ireland – that there are external factors which influence the prospects of success in achieving our goals – I am satisfied we have secured a considerable amount of success. This is in no small way due to the tremendous dedication, commitment and input by the staff involved.

The four goals of the European and international affairs division, as set out in the strategy statement, are continuous in their nature. At present the key focus of the division is Ireland's Agenda 2000 negotiations.

The economic and social policy division plays a pivotal role in the co-ordination of policy development in conjunction with the Department of Finance and other key Departments in order to achieve the Government's economic objectives, especially those set out in Partnership 2000. Good progress is being made in achieving these objectives.

I believe significant achievements are being made in progressing the Strategic Management Initiative, SMI, in the Irish Civil Service and the wider public service and the SMI divisional goals set out in my Department's strategy statement are being achieved. The SMI is a wide-ranging programme for the modernisation of the Civil and Public Service and as set out in the report Delivering Better Government, published in May 1996, the key objective of which is the achievement of an excellent service for all clients and customers.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

37 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of staff within the corporate affairs section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6868/99]

The Taoiseach

Corporate services, as defined in my Department's strategy statement, is currently staffed by a total of 83.5 people in four broad divisions – the personnel and management services division, the finance unit, my own private and constituency offices and the private and constituency offices of the Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Deputy Séamus Brennan. To clarify, the personnel and management services division also includes the library, the IT unit, the training unit, the file registry section, services officers, services attendants and cleaners.