Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number and percentage of civil servants who are competent to carry out their duties through the medium of Irish and English in his Department; his views on whether this number is adequate; his plans to increase this number and percentage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1988/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In response to the Deputy,  I am satisfied that my Department is in  position to conduct its business through the medium of Irish and  English as appropriate.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to improve civil service accountability and responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2031/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I published a public consultation paper, 'Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance' on 9th January  last.  This follows on from the commitments in the Programme for Government to reform and reconfigure the relationship between Ministers and their departments and civil servants.

The publication of the consultation paper is intended to initiate a wide and extensive process of public consultation, the aim of which is to bring about more effective accountability arrangements in the civil service.  A notice seeking the views of citizens on the reform options set out in the consultation paper or more generally on the issue of civil service accountability has been placed in national newspapers.  All submissions are to be received before 31 March 2014.  An Independent Panel on Accountability, chaired by Professor Kevin Rafter, DCU, will manage and oversee the public consultation process, review submissions received, and also through the panel's own review and examination of relevant issues develop recommendations for my consideration by end May.  Following on from these recommendations and those of the Civil Service Renewal Task Force relating to this area, I expect to bring proposals to Government for action to strengthen civil service accountability and performance.