Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if, in the context of economic progress over the next year, he expects to invoke any further reforms to address any likely issues that might arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20134/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he expects to rely on reform as a means of meeting public expenditure challenges ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20135/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which all Departments and subsidiary agencies continue to observe, in letter and in spirit, the principles of reform as a means of reducing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20139/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 144 and 148 together.
My Department continues to review budgetary process and expenditure monitoring to ensure we are adequately tracking developments and utilising best practice methods to assess the impact of public expenditure investment. These processes complement the monitoring of drawdown of funds from the Exchequer reported each month against expenditure profiles in the Fiscal Monitor published by the Department of Finance.
Some of these initiatives include:
• Performance Budgeting;
• Equality Budgeting;
• Green Budgeting;
• Well-being framework; and
• The Spending Review Process.
Together, these reforms are also in place to broaden the approach to how public expenditure is appraised, implemented and reviewed. They govern not only how and where the money is spent but also the impact of public expenditure across different cohorts of society and the different categories of expenditure. They work in tandem with broader initiatives, such as the establishment of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), to develop capacity and enhance the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making.
In respect of enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of policy delivery, improving and supporting the evaluation capacity within Government Departments has formed an important part of the reform programme. Supported by the establishment of IGEES, this has led to the development of a number of additional processes and reports to support the budgetary framework. This includes the spending review process, managed by my Department, which seeks to assess the effectiveness of public expenditure in meeting policy objectives and fostering engagement. Over 160 papers published since introduction in 2017.
The current framework for public service transformation is contained within Better Public Services, which builds on earlier reforms by my Department. The core of the Strategy is made up of three themes;
Digital innovation at scale,
Workforce and organisation of the future; and
Evidence informed policies and services designed for and with the public.
Making progress under these themes will support sectoral level reform programmes already underway in the Public Service and build on recent successes in the area of innovation across the Public Service.
