Ivan Yates
Question:328 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress in the strategic management initiative made within his Department. [25012/00]
Written Answers. - Strategic Management Initiative.
Progress in my Department in the key areas of the Strategic Management Initiative include: publication in 1998 of the Department's Statement of Strategy 1998-2001 to meet the statutory requirements of the Public Service Management Act, 1997; progress on the implementation of the statement of strategy is reported in the Department's annual reports 1998 and 1999, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library; the continuing development of business plans which translate the goals and objectives of the strategy statement into more detailed work programmes; the establishment of a project team, under the auspices of the partnership committee, to support the secretary general in the rollout of the performance management and development system (PMDS) in the Department; the rollout of PMDS will begin early in 2001; the development of a customised human resource management strategy for the Department is being steered by the partnership committee; a number of sub-committees of partnership have already been established to focus on aspects of human resource management such as induction, occupational health and safety, training and development, and equality; making arrangements to advance the quality customer service initiative in the Department including the adoption of the new quality customer service principles and the preparation of a new customer action plan; the development of a programme for reform of legislation which identifies areas where there is scope for consolidation, revision, repeal and restatement of legislation. Progress is continuing in implementing this programme as part of a joint initiative with the Department of Education and Science, consultants are being engaged to assist both Departments in improving and modernising their accounting and financial management functions in line with the Strategic Management Initiative and in the context of development and implementation of the generic financial model; a number of expenditure reviews have been completed, and progress is continuing on the other reviews identified by the Department as part of a three year programme; the extension of the Freedom of Information Act to bodies under the Department's aegis – An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, Fire Services Council, Irish Water Safety Association, Local Government Computer Services Board and National Safety Council. While the implementation of freedom of information in these bodies is a matter for the bodies themselves, my Department has provided assistance and advice to them and will continue to provide support as required; andthe development of a strategy and implementation plan to facilitate the delivery of services to the public electronically, as part of a three year information and communications technology development programme.