Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2019
63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects reform within the public sector to be delivered in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46976/19]
View answerAs I have previously informed the Deputy, the significant reforms within the public sector that this Government has put in place since 2011 continue to deliver improved services and value for money across a range of specific areas such as governance, accountability, procurement, shared services, organisational reform and property management.
The current framework for public service reform and innovation, Our Public Service 2020 (OPS 2020) which I launched at end-2017, builds on previous reforms while expanding their scope to focus on collaboration, innovation and evaluation.
Some examples of current reform initiatives under Our Public Service 2020 that are being delivered in the current year include:
- The establishment of Procurement Framework for Robotic Process Automation;
- An Garda Siochana’s Active Mobility Service;
- The Library Service’s My Open Library initiative;
- Revenue Commissioners PAYE Modernisation;
- Establishment of a pilot fund to support Public Service innovation (launched in May 2019); and
- Innovation Week, to be held on 9-13 December 2019.
Further details of the reforms that we continue to deliver under OPS 2020, including during the current year, can be found in the first progress report on Our Public Service 2020, which I published last month in conjunction with my colleague Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan. Information and up-dates on the full range of OPS 2020 activities can also be accessed at the website OPS2020.gov.ie.
Apart from OPS 2020, reform is underway in organisations right across the civil and public services. The overall programme of reform that we set out in the 2014 Civil Service Renewal Plan in order to support a higher performing organisation continues to be embedded within our Civil Service. A fourth progress report which captures the progress made since the Civil Service Renewal Plan commenced was published in May and this is also available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/8a4a55-civil-service-renewal-plan-progress-reports/#fourth-progress-report.
