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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Strategic Management Initiative.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

475 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the key performance indicators being used by his Department; the performance in respect of these for the past five years; and if a commentary is published on these performance indicators linking them to objectives and activities. [20314/02]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

476 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the key performance indicators of the agencies which his Department funds; the performance in respect of these for the past five years; and if these agencies publish a commentary on these performance indicators linking them to objectives and activities. [20329/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.

My Department was established in June 2002 bringing together certain functions of the former Departments of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and Tourism, Sport and Recreation. Both of these Departments had published statements of strategy and business plans, which incorporated key performance indicators. Commen tary on performance against these indicators was published in their respective annual reports, which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The fourth and last annual report of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation will be available this week.
In line with the requirements of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, my Department is currently preparing its first statement of strategy, which will include related key performance indicators. These indicators will conform to the SMART principles as set out in the guidelines for the preparation of strategy statements and business plans devised by the implementation group for the Strategic Management Initiative i.e. they will be specific, measurable, agreed, realistic and time bound. The indicators will be agreed with all staff through the partnership process. It is expected that the new statement of strategy will be published on the Department's website during December 2002.
The agencies funded by my Department operate independently of the Department on a day-to-day basis. The functions and duties of these agencies are generally set out in the legislation by which they are established and/or in their memorandum and articles of association, as appropriate. The detailed implementation of these functions and duties is an operational matter for the agencies concerned.
While the agencies under the remit of my Department operate in line with overall Government policy as specified for the relevant sector, the implementation of such policies and the establishment of associated performance indicators are matters for the agencies themselves. Progress on achievements against the indicators set is published in the annual reports of the various agencies, which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
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