The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources comprises the communications and energy functions of the former Department of Public Enterprise, the broadcasting functions of the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands together with all the functions of the former Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
The key performance indicators in respect of each of these functions were set out in the three year strategy statements published in 1998 and 2001 by the former Departments of Public Enterprise, Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Marine and Natural Resources. I have arranged for copies to be forwarded to the Deputy. Progress on implementing objectives and strategies, set out in the strategy statements, has been reported on each year in the annual reports of the Departments in question.
In accordance with the requirements of the Public Service Management Act, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is preparing a new statement of strategy for submission to the Minister by 6 December next as a framework for action for the period 2003 to 2005. The strategy statement will set out the goals, strategies and key performance indicators required for successful delivery of modernisation and sectoral policy priorities up to 2005. Performance on delivery of the objectives and strategies set out in the new statement of strategy will be measured and reported on in the annual divisional business planning cycle and in the annual reports of the Department to be published in each of the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.