The Management Information Framework (MIF) system was introduced as part of the modernisation process in the public service. The key aim of the MIF is to provide improved financial and non-financial information to managers to enable better decision making and use of resources by Government Departments.
The MIF system has been rolled-out in my Department, although refinements will continue to be made to maximise the potential of the system. A suite of performance indicators has been drawn-up as part of the MIF reporting system. These indicators feed into the Department's Strategy Statement, Annual Report and Annual Output Statement, all of which are laid before the Oireachtas. Progress on the achievement of targets set out in the indicators will also feature in reports to my Department's Management Board on a regular basis.
The financial management system introduced by my Department in 2004 as part of the MIF project incorporates a costing framework that captures expenditure by subhead, Business Unit and expenditure heading. It includes an extensive suite of accounting and financial management reports. Access to the main financial management reports on the system is directly available to Business Units throughout my Department. Data from the system is also used to compile more detailed monthly expenditure reports for my Department's Management Board, to extract information for replies to Parliamentary Questions and to prepare my Department's Annual Output Statement.