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Departmental Reviews

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Ceisteanna (54)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

50 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent organisational review programme of his Department; the steps he will be take to address the weaknesses identified by the ORP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25906/12]

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Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the Organisational Review Programme (ORP) process was set up in 2007 to review the capacity of Government organisations in three key areas, strategy, managing delivery and evaluation. Its aim is to ensure that Government Departments and major Offices are fit for purpose in terms of the challenges they face. The ORP review of my Department highlights strengths in some areas, most notably the calibre of management and staff, their strong values and commitment to education, dedication, accessibility and their ability to develop policy and strategy. Naturally, however, the focus of the report is on areas where improvements are needed.

The Third Report of the ORP process was published in January last and includes my Department's Action Plan in response to the ORP review. The full report, which includes reviews of three other Departments, is available to download from www.orp.ie . The Department of Education and Skills has developed a comprehensive Action Plan which includes 38 actions to address a range of issues raised in the ORP review. The plan is a composite of new actions and existing actions that have commenced since the ORP review was written, e.g. development of a new website for the Department and work on establishing SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards. An official at Assistant Secretary or Principal level has been assigned responsibility to deliver and report on individual actions in the plan. I am satisfied that my Department’s Action Plan will address many of the issues raised in the ORP Review. In particular, the plan focuses on improving strategic direction, governance of our agencies and education bodies, internal and external communications, evaluation of policy and programmes, HR practices and internal business processes including the use of ICT.

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