Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the amendment. The Civil Service Renewal 2030 strategy does outline the policy intention of creating that culture of innovation within the public service. The planning, implementation and funding of these programmes is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Section 47 of the Bill does give the new agency capacity to co-operate with other Departments, including that Department, in terms of implementing strategy and policy. This intention is already captured in the current provision for the object of the agency and both section 8(d) and functions at section 9(1)(n).

In addition, the existing section already makes provision for the Minister of the day to give direction to the agency to support the implementation of any policy objective of the Minister or the Government.