Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
749. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Ó Ríordáin high-level report into his Department will be laid before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with its terms of reference, the first report of the Effectiveness and Renewal Group (ERG), chaired by Padraig Ó Ríordáin was submitted to myself and the Taoiseach on 29 June and was noted by Cabinet and published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 10 July.
The report recommends a radical restructuring of the Department of Justice and Equality and the appointment of a new Secretary General to lead the transformation process. Aidan O'Driscoll has been appointed Secretary General with effect from September. Mr O'Driscoll has served as Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine since 2015 and has a distinguished career in the civil service.
The key recommendation contained in the report addresses the need for a fundamental restructuring of the Department. There are two stages to this restructuring:
- Creation of two Divisions within the Department: ‘Home Affairs’ and ‘Justice and Equality’, each led by a Deputy Secretary. Home Affairs will be responsible for crime, policing and immigration with Justice and Equality responsible for civil law reform, courts, equality and integration. The existing Deputy Secretary post in the Department will become Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs. The process of appointing a Deputy Secretary for Justice and Equality is underway.
- The second stage involves the conversion of the Department from a topic-based “Traditional Model” to a “Functional Model”. Under the new Functional Model, the functions of both Divisions would be divided across five Units: Policy, Governance, Legislation, Transparency and Operations with each Unit performing tasks solely related to its function.
A process of procurement, as recommended by the ERG, to secure the necessary external expertise to assist the Department and its management in this transformation process is in its initial stages.
A copy of the report as published is available at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/ERG%20Report.pdf/Files/ERG%20Report.pdf.
