Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 4

Written Answers. - Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

27 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 16 December 1998 on the Strategic Management Initiative, the detailed proposals, if any, he has brought forward for decision relating to regulatory reform, financial management and information technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9579/99]

The Taoiseach:

As the Deputy is aware, the Strategic Management Initiative sets out a wide ranging programme for change in the Civil Service. It is based on a number of key elements including regulatory reform, financial management changes and changes in relation to information technology. Working groups were established in respect of these issues and these groups have now reported. Their recommendations have been considered by the implementation group which is responsible for developing an integrated programme of change.

The report of the Working Group on Regulatory Reform has now been considered by the implementation group which has set out a programme of action to help ensure that the level of regulation in the economy is appropriate. A draft memorandum for Government setting out the detailed proposals in this area has been prepared and circulated to Government Departments. Their observations have now been received and I am currently finalising detailed proposals which I expect to be able to put to my colleagues in Government for decision in the near future.

Changes to our financial management systems are an important part of the overall SMI process. The recommendations of the Financial Management Working Group were considered by the implementation group at its meeting in March. The implementation group is preparing a report for Government, setting out a programme of action to put in place improved financial management systems. Again, I envisage Government consideration shortly. As I indicated in my reply to questions on 16 December last, changes have already been introduced in the multi-annual budgeting and administrative budget aspects of financial management.

A number of the recommendations contained in the SMI Working Group Report on Information Technology have already been taken up in the work of the interdepartmental implementation group on the information society. The action plan on implementing the information society has now been adopted and implementation of that plan will result in progress being made on a number of the issues identified in the SMI working group report, principally in relation to quality service delivery.

In addition, the IT working group report contains a number of recommendations in relation to the acquisition and retention of skilled IT staff. In December 1998, the Department of Finance reached agreement with the unions on a set of once-off exceptional measures to retain skilled IT staff engaged in Year 2000 work until that work is completed. This includes scope for re-assignment of suitable administrative staff to IT work and, where it is deemed appropriate, payment of a loyalty bonus in April 2000 to skilled IT staff.

The remaining recommendations will be considered by the implementation group in May. They relate primarily to management and financial issues and need to be integrated with the other programmes of action under SMI. I expect that the report of the implementation group will be submitted to Government shortly thereafter.