There is a framework in place in my Department for the assignment of functions under the Public Service Management Act 1997 covering all individuals by name down to and including the principal officer grade and a number of individuals at assistant principal level. These assignments are updated as appropriate and were last done on 1 September 2004 — a copy of the latter document has been forwarded to the Deputy for his information. To date none of the assignments for this Department, which are made under section 4(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997, has made specific reference to subsections (a) to (f) of section 9 of the Act.
In addition to assignments of specific areas of work to named individuals, the framework also includes a generic statement of responsibilities for the grades of Secretary General, public service management and development, Second Secretary General, assistant secretary and principal officer. All framework documents to date have been published internally and are available upon request to members of the public.
The assignments included in the framework are supported by a formal management structure and a business planning system. This business planning system is based on the Department's statement of strategy and includes annual business plans for each assistant secretary and director area. These business plans are reviewed by the management advisory committee on a regular basis.
The daily business of the Department is overseen by the management advisory committee, supported by groups it has established at assistant secretary, principal and assistant principal level. Each of these groups has been given responsibility for specific issues as considered appropriate. Finally, the Department has an audit committee with an external chairperson.
I am satisfied with the way the framework of assignments has been operating in my Department.