Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The current Civil Service disciplinary code applies to all civil servants. The code sets out the arrangements for dealing with disciplinary matters in the Civil Service. It is ensures that all civil servants are aware that if there is a failure to adhere to the required standards of conduct, work performance and attendance, the disciplinary procedure set out in the code will apply. Senior civil servants, including Secretaries General are subject to the Civil Service disciplinary code, apart from three particular sanctions which they are excluded from under the legislation. The current position is that sanctions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 of the Civil Service disciplinary code do not apply to Secretaries General because of their legislative exemption, but the other sanctions in the disciplinary code do apply to them.

In terms of legislation, as the Deputy is aware, on 11 April 2018 the Government agreed the general scheme and heads of Bill to amend the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956-2005 and the Public Service Management Act 1997. Pre-legislative scrutiny was held on 28 June 2018. The policy intention of this Bill remains as was approved in 2018. This legislation is significantly advanced and the Bill is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the current session.

The performance of senior civil servants is reviewed annually using the performance review process for senior public service and the performance review group, PRG, for officials at Secretary General grade or equivalent. The performance review process was rolled out to all Secretaries General of Government Departments and offices in 2017. This process sets expectations and holds senior public servants accountable for the achievement of individual key objectives and deliverables.

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