Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 5

Written Answers. - Strategic Management Initiative.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

59 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will give details of the most recent progress in implementing the SMI in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20786/97.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The statement of strategy for my Department was published in May last and a number of initiatives has since been undertaken. The main areas of action are as follows:

Co-ordination and Monitoring:

An SMI co-ordination group has been established to advise on and assist with the planning and implementation of the SMI in my Department. The group acts as the promoter of the process within my Department and, being chaired on a rotating basis by an assistant secretary, is a demonstration of the high level management commitment to the SMI process which is required by Delivering Better Government.

Quality Customer Service

My Department has drawn up an action plan on quality customer service which I hope to launch formally in the coming weeks. The plan sets out a two year plan to ensure the delivery of a quality service to the customer and identifies initiatives — some of which are already in hand — to ensure that this objective will be realised.

Organisation Review

A review of the management structure, operations, organisation processes and staffing of the heritage functions of my Department is currently under way with a view to identifying the measures necessary to provide a high quality co-ordinated and effective service and to draw up a practical action plan to implement these measures. The review, which is due for completion in the first quarter of 1998, will take into account the existing structures and resources in all other areas of my Department.

Training Needs Analysis

A training needs analysis project, which seeks to address the training needs of my Department in the broadest sense, including on-the-job training and staff development needs, is currently under way. The study, which has as a central theme the linking of training with job responsibilities, both now and in the future, will be completed in early 1998.

Information Technology (IT) Review

Preliminary steps have been taken in establishing parameters for a review of my Department's IT function. It is expected that the study itself will commence before the end of the year.

Apart from the main areas of action referred to above, work is continuing in my Department in regard to a number of other SMI issues, including the preparation for a review of my Department's statement of strategy, which is due to be carried out by March 1998.