Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, this is the third iteration of what we have been doing in terms of Civil Service reform. In direct answer to his question on how we will make these things happen, two developments will allow for much of that. I will then conclude with an observation on the interesting point that the Deputy made about diversity and inclusion.

First, we will soon set up a public service management leadership board, an entity that will have all of the senior leaders, not only in our Civil Service, but across the public service, coming together on a regular basis to review progress in delivering this plan. That is not something that we have done previously. It is separate to the Civil Service Management Board, which considers how to implement Government decisions, policy and so on. This will all be about how we bring that document to life.

Second, we now have a chief HR officer, who is looking to roll out consistent HR practice across all Departments. In the next three years, HR sections in Departments will be strengthened and supported more from the centre, which is the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to make that strategy happen.

It is interesting that the Deputy made a point about inclusion. I have noticed, as recruitment into the Civil Service has returned to reasonable levels in recent years, the significant quality and diversity of young civil servants who have joined. This is encouraging for the future of the Civil Service but we cannot take it for granted. We are examining ways of better recruiting on university campuses, for example.

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