Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Strategy.

John Bruton

Ceist:

635 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has used section 12 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, which allows for appropriate action to be taken on cross-departmental issues in a structured way; and the areas of work of his Department which are touching on the work of other Departments in respect of which cross-departmental arrangements might be appropriate. [17366/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

In July this year I brought proposals to Government for the setting up of a national framework for the development of integrated public service delivery systems. The Government, on foot of these proposals, has given approval to the establishment of an initiative, known as REACH, which will be progressed by a cross-departmental unit. The REACH unit is being established under the provisions of section 12 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997.

The main objectives of the REACH initiative are: to progress take up of a common identifier – the personal public service number – by providers of State services; to co-ordinate the integration of services between Departments and agencies; to develop a public services card for access to State services; to integrate the processes for registration of births with the issue of new personal public services numbers; and to develop a database for means information that will be shared by relevant departments and agencies for specified purposes.

I will be responsible to Government for progressing the REACH initiative, which is being established initially for a three year period to end 2002.

The work of my Department has many aspects with cross-departmental dimensions which are progressed in the normal manner between officials of the various organisations concerned. Areas of work in which such co-operation is an ongoing feature include the following: implementation of the national anti-poverty strategy; combating unemployment, including encouraging take up of work, training and educational opportunities; development of enhanced family support services, including integrated policy for lone parents; development of the national pensions policy initiative; development of an income support policy for people with disabilities; provision of assistance with rent and mortgage payments; and support for the voluntary and community sector.

I have no plans at this point to establish any further formal structures under the provisions of the Public Service Management Act but the possibilities in this regard will be kept under review in the light of the experience of its application in relation to the REACH programme.