Vol. 498 No. 2
6 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 10 and 11 of 14 October 1998 on the Strategic Management Initiative, he has finalised recommendations on regulatory reform, financial management and information technology to put before Government for consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26634/98]
As the Deputy is aware, the strategic management initiative sets out a wide ranging programme for change in the Civil Service. It is based on a number of key elements including regulatory reform, financial management changes and changes in relation to information technology. Working groups were established in respect of these issues and these groups have now reported. Their recommendations are being considered by the implementation group which is responsible for developing an integrated programme of change.
The report of the working group on regulatory reform has now been considered by the implementation group which has set out a programme of action to help ensure that the level of regulation in the economy is appropriate. I am currently finalising detailed proposals which I expect to be able to put to my colleagues in Government for decision early in 1999.
As regards financial management, the recommendations of the working group will be considered by the implementation group at its meeting on 14 December and the group will then report to Government setting out a programme of action. Again, I envisage Government consideration early in 1999. As I indicated in my reply to questions on 14 October last, changes have already been introduced in the multi-annual budgeting and administrative budget aspects of financial management.
Finally, a number of the recommendations contained in the SMI working group report on information technology have already been taken up in the work of the interdepartmental implementation group on the information society. This group's report, which covers a wide range of issues including electronic Government, will be presented to Government shortly. The remaining recommendations will be considered by the implementation group in January in the context of completing the SMI programme of action on information technology. I expect that its report will be submitted to Government early in 1999.
