Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Benchmarking Awards.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

197 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the main features of the Civil Service action plan drawn up by his Department to meet the requirements of the benchmarking process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20780/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

206 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the Government's plans for the payment of the remaining elements of the benchmarking award; the main features of the Civil Service action plan drawn up to meet the requirements of the benchmarking process within his own Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20750/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 206 together.

The phasing of the benchmarking increases is set out in Sustaining Progress as follows: 25% with effect from 1 December 2001; 50% of the increases from 1 January 2004; and 25% of the increases from 1 June 2005.

However, payment of these increases, with the exception of the 25% from 1 December 2001, and the general round increases is dependent on meeting the conditions set out in the agreement, namely, the absence of industrial action and the achievement of the objectives of the public service modernisation agenda.

A verification process was established to oversee the implementation of the commitments in the agreement and payment of both the general rounds and the final two phases of benchmarking is linked to the changes agreed. A performance verification group, PVG, was established in each sector, with a strong independent representation. Each PVG will assess progress not just at the sectoral level but also at the organisational and grade level.

I have said that the Government will meet the bill on the basis of the conditions set down in the agreement. We are determined that all of the public service commitments agreed in Sustaining Progress must be delivered by those to whom they apply. There can be no rolling back on any of these commitments and there will be no renegotiation of them.

The Department's own modernisation action plan under Sustaining Progress, which incorporates the actions being pursued under the public service benchmarking process, was published in full on the Department's website on 12 August 2003.

The action plan comprises over 100 objectives and associated targets under such headings as customer service, the efficient use of resources, performance management, team-working and cross-functional working, e-Government and new technology, open recruitment, training and development, equality, and human resource management.

The objectives relate both to the internal operation of the Department and to the Department's wider role in promoting modernisation in the civil service as a whole.

The Department has informed the Civil Service performance verification group that its main priorities under the plan are as follows: promoting improved customer service; achieving the more efficient use of resources; promoting the effective and innovative use of new technology and e-Government; introducing additional measures to facilitate open recruitment; increasing the proportion of staff who are promoted on a competitive basis; supporting the effective operation of the performance management and development system; and introducing legislation to improve human resource management in the Civil Service.

The Department is currently preparing its first report on progress with the implementation of the plan for submission next month to the performance verification group. The process of verification is ongoing for the duration of the agreement.