Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:49. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the governance model for public sector reform initiated by him. [51550/12]
View answerPublic Sector Reform Review
Questions (49)
Written answers
The Government’s Public Service Reform Plan, which was published last November, places a strong emphasis on the need for effective governance structures to ensure delivery of the Reform Plan and maintain oversight of the reform programmes of Departments and Sectors. To this end, in November of last year, I established a dedicated Reform and Delivery Office in my Department, led by an externally recruited Programme Director who has many years of experience in leading change in the private sector. Other key skills have also been brought into this office, for example on shared services and external service delivery. The key role of the Reform and Delivery Office is to lead, support and co-ordinate the reform programme across the Public Service. Good progress is being made in this regard, as set out in the Progress Report published on 6 September. In addition, each Department or major Office has its own Change Delivery Team to manage and drive the reform process at organisational and sectoral levels.
In terms of formal governance, the key driver of the reform programme is the Cabinet Committee on Public Service Reform which provides political direction and accountability for reform. The Cabinet Committee, which is chaired by the Taoiseach and which I convene, meets on a quarterly basis to consider priority issues and ensure overall progress is being achieved. An Advisory Group of Secretaries General has also been established, which provides support and advice on strategic and policy issues to the Cabinet Committee on Public Service Reform. In addition, a Reform and Delivery Board, primarily comprising Assistant Secretaries responsible for leading reform in each Department and major Office, meets regularly to oversee and monitor the delivery of Public Service Reform at a strategic level and to provide assurance to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and to the Cabinet Committee that Public Service Reform is being successfully delivered.
In line with best practice governance, Project Boards have been established for many of the projects which are being implemented under the Reform Plan, for example for the various shared services projects. In addition, each of the actions in the overall Reform Plan is assigned to a lead official, with Senior Responsible Owners appointed to lead the Major Projects which have been identified as being of strategic importance. The Reform and Delivery Office in my Department is also working closely with each of the main sectors to ensure they have effective governance arrangements in place to drive and oversee the delivery of the reform programmes for those sectors. In conclusion, the Government is strongly committed to its ambitious programme of Public Service Reform. I believe that a robust governance framework is in place to ensure its successful implementation. Reform of our public services is an ongoing process. My Department will regularly evaluate these governance structures with a view to achieving maximum delivery of the reform programme over the coming years.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (50)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:50. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out the amendments that he intends to make to the Construction Contracts Bill. [51554/12]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. In this regard, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, is working with Senator Feargal Quinn to develop the Senator's Private Members' Construction Contracts Bill into a robust piece of legislation. The Bill has passed Second Stage in the Dáil. During the Second Stage reading of the Bill, the Minister of State signalled to the House his intention to bring proposals to Government on Committee Stage amendments dealing with certain issue. In order to ensure the legislation applies to the majority of Construction Contracts, the scope of the legislation will be broadened by reducing or removing the current monetary thresholds contained in the Bill. The issue of making adjudication awards binding for both the public and private sectors is a complex one. It is important to strike the right balance between giving this legislation the necessary enforcement provisions and ensuring the application of the legislation is equitable and the taxpayer is safeguarded. When these and a number of other issues have been examined, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, will bring proposals to the Government in advance of Committee Stage. This is an important piece of legislation aimed at creating a more level playing field between contractor and subcontractor in the construction sector. Therefore, it is essential that these complex issues are properly assessed to avoid imposing unnecessary regulatory or cost burdens on parties in dispute, the State or others.
Diplomatic Representation Expenditure
Questions (51)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:51. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff working in the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, Vienna and Ankara; if he will provide same as of 1 January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51772/12]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table that follows this reply. The staffing figures take account of staff assigned from Ireland and locally engaged support staff as well as, in the cases of New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, visa office staff of the Department of Justice and Equality, the salary costs of whom are borne by that Department. A small number of staff who are indirectly engaged through local employment agencies, some on a temporary basis, are also included in the staffing figures.
|
Embassy |
Current staffing complement (Departmental employees, except where stated) |
Changes since 1 January 2011 |
|
Abu Dhabi |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers posted from HQ: 1 Ambassador 1 Third Secretary Visa office staff of the Department of Justice and Equality: 1 Higher Executive Officer 3 Executive Officers 4 Clerk Secretaries (local) Local Staff (other): 3 Clerk Secretaries 1 Driver |
None |
|
Ankara |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers posted from HQ: 1 Ambassador 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 Third Secretary Local Staff: 3 Clerk Secretaries 1 Messenger / Driver |
None |
|
New Delhi |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers posted from HQ: 1 Ambassador 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary Visa office staff of the Department of Justice and Equality: 1 Higher Executive Officer 3 Executive Officers 5 Clerks (local) Local staff (other): 1 Office Manager 2 Clerk Secretaries 1 Executive Assistant 1 Messenger 1 Driver |
None |
|
Vienna |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers posted from HQ: 1 Ambassador 2 First Secretaries 1 Third Secretary Local Staff: 4 Clerk Secretaries 1 Messenger / Driver 3 Interns |
One additional First Secretary (temporary: EU Presidency-related) Three additional Interns (temporary: EU Presidency-related) |
Military Neutrality
Questions (52)
Finian McGrath
Question:52. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will incorporate the 1907 Hague Convention V regarding the rights and duties of neutral States into Irish domestic law (details supplied). [51810/12]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This policy has been underpinned by a set of complementary values which includes the protection of human rights; support for development; and the promotion of disarmament and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Ireland is not a party to the Hague Convention (V) respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of War on Land, and there are no plans for it to become one. Incorporation of its provisions into domestic law accordingly does not arise.