Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
123 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the progress being made across Government Departments and agencies to avail of the benefits of shared services and related cost savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraShared services is a core element of the Public Service Reform agenda which is being driven by my Department. Given the scale of the reform challenge facing us and the increasing demand for Public Services, it is vital that we begin to deliver back-office business processes at a higher service quality.
The Public Service Reform Plan published in November 2011 sets out aggressive timelines for the delivery of shared services across the Public Service. Together with my colleagues in Government, I am committed to the delivery of this significant transformation initiative in a planned way and on the basis of international best practice. This is the only way that meaningful, medium-term savings can be achieved. A National Shared Services Office, led by a Shared Service Transformation Manager with a strong track record in delivering on these types of projects at a global level, has now been established within my Department.
Significant work has been undertaken over recent months to prepare the business case for human resources shared services and it is expected to be presented to Government shortly. Expressions of interest have been sought for the post of Civil Service payroll shared services project manager and the Shared Services Office are also commencing a data gathering exercise to better understand our current payroll arrangements and how they compare with other public and private sector organisations who utilise shared service centres. Rigorous and detailed design leads to good solutions so the ‘preparation work' is essential to ensure that the shared services operations will deliver services at high standards, that business as usual is not jeopardised and that benefits are delivered. The Shared Services Office is also working with nominated senior officials to ensure that similarly ambitious and robust plans are developed and implemented in the other key sectors of Health, Education, Justice, Defence and Local Government.
I am satisfied with the progress we are making in this area. We are building the appropriate expertise and engaging with each of the key Departments in a structured way and on the basis of a strong plan, evidence based business cases and ambitious timelines. The international evidence shows that this is the best way to proceed if you want to realise the maximum benefits over time.
