John Bruton
Ceist:6 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if a partnership committee has been set up in his Department; and, if so, the composition of this. [12673/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Departmental Partnership Committees.
John Bruton
Ceist:7 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will list the verifiable results in his Department which will be the basis for the 2 per cent pay increase set out in chapter 10 of Partnership 2000. [12674/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
A partnership committee was established in my Department in May this year. It is chaired by the Secretary General and comprises four members of senior management and five union representatives. The committee membership will be expanded at a later date to include members of staff at all levels.
The function of the committee is to draw up and oversee the implementation of an action programme for the Department. This action programme will be the primary mechanism for putting in place, on an agreed basis, the changes necessary for the successful implementation of the Department's strategy statement and the programme of modernisation being developed centrally under SMI. The 2 per cent local bargaining provision under Partnership 2000 is dependent on verifiable progress being achieved in the implementation of this action programme.
As the partnership committee has just been established, it is not possible to anticipate at this stage the precise targets and results which are to be achieved under the action programme. Before finalising the programme's content, the partnership committee will consult widely in the Department. However, it is expected that the general issues to be dealt with will include quality customer service; human resource and performance management; training and development; new financial management systems; information technology and infrastructural issues.
Is this committee exclusively concerned with partnership in the Department of the Taoiseach or is it concerned with the overall administration of Partnership 2000?
This partnership group was set up under the partnership structures in the Civil Service. It is the partnership model for use in Departments and offices. This partnership group covers my Department. It is provided for under chapter 10, clause 4 of the public service pay agreement negotiated under Partnership 2000. Each Department has its own partnership group.