asked the Minister for Transport if he will state in relation to reform of the public service the progress made to date in his Department; and his further plans in this regard.
Written Answers. - Public Service Reform.
244.
One of the main recommendations of the Public Services Organisation Review Group, which reported in 1969, was that there should be a separation of policy and execution in Government Departments. The review group recommended that the aireacht, which would be the central core of the Department grouped around the Minister, would have responsibility for policy formulation and general direction and control and that executive units would execute policy.
A high proportion of the executive activity in the areas for which I have responsibility is discharged by State-sponsored bodies and harbour authorities. Most of the executive functions undertaken by the Department are of a technical or regulatory nature and are discharged by units which are largely self contained. The Department was, therefore, already structured on aireacht-executive unit lines to a large extent. Staff support units for planning, finance, personnel and organisation assist senior management in the formulation and review of policies. In addition a Management Advisory Committee advises the Secretary of the Department in evaluation of alternative policy options and in the formulation of proposals for submission to me.
An executive office embracing the technical aviation services of the Department has been established. This office incorporates the executive functions formerly discharged by the five technical aviation services in the Department and has a large degree of independence in its day-to-day operations. Because of the specialised nature of its activities, the Meteorological Service also has a large degree of independence in its day-to-day operations and for many years has operated largely as an Executive Office.
Personnel development aspects inherent in the reform of the public service are receiving on-going attention in my Department.
Consideration will be given in due course to the question of the establishment of an executive office in the marine area of the Department. The effectiveness of the aireacht and executive areas of the Department will continue to be kept under review and further improvements will be made as necessary in the light of experience.