Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
11 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence the progress made with regard to an integrated personnel management plan for the Defence Forces as recommended in the White Paper on Defence; when it is expected the plan will be introduced; the progress of the consultation with the representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9274/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper recommendation for an integrated personnel management plan, or system, and other related White Paper recommendations are enshrined in An Agreed Programme for Government of June 2002. Under the programme, we are committed to, among other things, the introduction of an integrated personnel management system, known as the IPMS, for the Defence Forces which will deal with the broad range of human resources management and development issues. These include manpower policy and planning, equality of opportunity and treatment and the right to dignity at work, recruitment, terms of enlistment, induction, training, education and development, physical and medical fitness, career planning and guidance, promotion, the regulatory framework, retirement and pensions.
In effect, what is envisaged is the development and implementation of a fully comprehensive human resources strategy for the Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps. I am pleased to say that we have made very good progress. Initial proposals for an IPMS were developed by the military authorities and then referred to the top level civil-military strategic management committee for further development. Some of the key proposals were then put to the associations representing officers and enlisted personnel late last year in the context of the negotiations on the application to the Defence Forces of Sustaining Progress. Those negotiations also involved the preparation of an action plan covering the development and implementation of a range of modernisation elements, including key IPMS elements. I am pleased to say that the negotiations were successful in the period before Christmas and that both associations signed up to Sustaining Progress and to the implementation of the action plan over the period to mid-2005. The implementation process is now under way.
The proper handling of management of human resources is critical to the success of the Defence Forces. Will the Minister tell us when the action plan agreed with the representative organisations will be published?
The action plan agreed is known to all the associations — there is nothing hidden about it. Is the Deputy referring to publication in terms of it being available to the public at large?
Yes.
That will be under discussion for the next year or so. There are complex human resource and development issues which we want to get right. The Deputy is correct that it is a critical part of how we move forward. The process will evolve and publication will be the subject of a combined decision of us all. I would not pre-empt any of these negotiations at this stage. I want to get the best chance possible to work, facilitate the negotiations in every way I can and support the military and the associations in trying to come to the kinds of conclusions which will help us to develop.
Written answers follow Adjournment Debate.
