Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bruton for his question. An Taoiseach and I launched Civil Service Renewal 2030, a new ten-year strategy for the Civil Service, on 21 May last. In addition to publishing the strategy, the launch provided an opportunity to highlight a number of projects undertaken across the Civil Service that show the important work carried out by civil servants up and down the country, particularly in responding to the challenges we have faced over the past 18 months. The strategy provides an ambitious framework for the future for the Civil Service and its staff. It builds on the strengths of the Civil Service and the initiatives delivered under the first renewal plan for the service. It provides a long-term framework for continuous improvement and is focused on achieving meaningful outcomes for society, the Government and stakeholders.

The strategy's vision is for "an innovative, professional and agile Civil Service that improves the lives of the people of Ireland through excellence in service delivery and strategic policy development". It has three core themes, namely, delivering evidenced-informed policy and services, harnessing digital technology and innovation, and building the workforce, workplaces and organisation of the future. The strategy's development is the result of an extensive consultation process informed by experience and expertise from across the Civil Service. A task force of senior officials, representing all of the Civil Service management board, CSMB, Departments and offices, has shaped the strategy. It draws on evidence collected from staff engagement during the implementation of the first Civil Service renewal plan and the results of the 2020 Civil Service employee engagement survey. It is also informed by the lessons learned in the six organisational capability reviews completed to date and the civil and public service response to the challenges of Covid-19. The strategy acknowledges the environment in which the Civil Service operates and identifies important challenges facing the service now and in the future.

The strategy will be implemented through a cycle of three-year action plans. Work is under way on the first plan, which will set out the priorities for the next three years. I will publish the first action plan in the autumn.

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