Joan Burton
Question:199. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public sector reforms he plans to pursue. [46827/18]
View answerTuesday, 13 November 2018
Questions (199)
Written answers
Since the first public service reform plan was published in 2011, a comprehensive programme of reform has been implemented and public sector reform continues to be a key priority for the Government. The latest framework for reform and innovation in the public service, Our Public Service 2020 (OPS 2020) – which I launched last December, is a whole-of-public-service initiative designed to build on the previous reforms to which I refer while expanding the scope of reform to focus on collaboration, innovation and evaluation. The OPS 2020 framework contains 18 actions, and it is built on three key pillars as follows:
Delivering for Our Public focuses on ensuring that outcomes for the public are central to service delivery. This will be achieved by involving the public in the design and delivery of services, by improving how we listen and communicate, and by ensuring services are cost-effective. By making better use of new technology and data we will also improve service quality and accessibility. The five actions under this pillar will build on existing progress in areas such as shared services and procurement. The development of digital services and eGovernment is key to improving service delivery as is making better use of data and sharing data more effectively between organisations.
Innovating for Our Future has six actions that will enable the development of innovative, robust and joined-up strategies and policies related to the delivery of public services. This pillar will also support collaboration across the public service and help make the most of existing skills and experiences, and data. It will also promote a culture of evaluation. The public service needs to be increasingly innovative and collaborative to effectively respond to the complex challenges facing Ireland now and into the future.
Developing Our People and Organisations has seven actions which will support public servants and the organisations in which they work. The pillar aims to improve human resource management and to ensure the right mix of skills and tools are there to support public servants in delivering quality services. The actions in this pillar will help to build strong and agile public service organisations. Actions focus on sharing best practice and experience in areas such as strategic human resource management, workforce planning, employee engagement, public service culture and values, and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Six action teams involving over one hundred public servants from across the public sector are already pursuing work programmes under OPS 2020 in the areas such as digital delivery of services, promoting innovation, optimising the use of data, project management, workforce planning, and professional development. In addition to these actions, reform is taking place independent of the framework, whether in a whole-of-government context or Department/Sector led reforms. OPS 2020 includes a chapter outlining key reform strategies from the main sectors namely Health, Justice and Equality, Education, Local Government, Defence and the Civil Service. It also includes material on Government and legislative reform. Significant reforms initiated under the Civil Service Renewal Plan also continue to take effect and work is advancing on a refreshed Civil Service Renewal Plan which will build on the progress to date and align with programme of reform set out in Our Public Service 2020.
The implementation of OPS 2020 is underpinned by a shared ownership of its actions across the public service and by ensuring a strong emphasis on evaluating reforms. A Public Service Leadership Board comprising Secretary General and CEO level participants from across the civil and public service has been established to drive the new reform agenda and lead on its implementation. This approach will support and enable public servants and their organisations to perform at their best and to work together to deliver high-quality, value-for-money outcomes that will benefit the economy.