Vol. 502 No. 3
8 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]
9 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]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
The four sections dealing with Government policy and direction, as set out in my Department's Strategy Statement, are Northern Ireland Division, European and International Affairs Division, Economic and Social Policy Division, and 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 staff 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 that 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 to achieve the Government's economic objectives, especially those set out in Partnership 2000. Good progress is being made in achieving these objectives.
Significant achievements are being made in progressing the strategic management initiative, SMI, in the 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 Service and the public service and as set out in the report, Delivering Better Government, published in May 1996, the key objective is the achievement of an excellent service for all clients and customers.
Will the Taoiseach indicate which of the sections is considering a possible reform of the 1924 Ministers and Secretaries Act?
I do not know if the section is putting forward recommendations on it, but the one trying to deal with the reform of the Civil Service is the Strategic Management Initiative Division.
Do I take it the strategic policy initiative and any consideration of a review does not encompass any examination of the 1924 Act?
The Department is not reviewing that Act in the sense the Deputy means but it has since 1994 been trying to use the strategic management initiative and the Delivering Better Government document to make the Civil Service more efficient and customer friendly. In that sense, it is trying to do so by other means.
