Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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107. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the Civil Service Renewal 2030 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31971/21]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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This question is being taken by Deputy Bruton. I apologise to the Deputy that I did not bring him in on the previous question. I will give him a little leniency to make up for that.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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May I raise a point on the last question?

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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The Deputy should introduce this question first and I will give him some leniency in the time allocated for the discussion on the question.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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This question relates to the Civil Service renewal plan for 2030, which seeks to provide evidence-informed policymaking, harness innovation and build an organisation for the future. What are the concrete targets the Minister is setting for delivery under this strategy?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the plan. However, does the Minister share my concern that, at this stage, there is only one concrete target set out in the plan, which is that there be 90% availability online of services? Does he agree that some higher ambitions need to be set out, particularly in the context of innovation? Should there be a concrete figure for the amount of money that will go to innovative practices within the public service? Should we have concrete targets in respect of investment in leadership and skill capability to deliver change? Is the Minister's experience the same as mine, namely, that the public service has not invested sufficiently in the capacity to deliver change management within the system?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This is an area on which we must continue to focus. When it comes to innovation, we have an annual award scheme for innovative projects across the Civil Service. I intend to continue to develop that scheme because it is important that we reward excellence and encourage and support innovation in all its forms. It is a very important scheme, which recognises achievement in the area of innovation. It can help to improve services for our citizens, which is ultimately what we are all about.

There is significant investment in the area of skills and talent development and providing educational opportunities for people working across the Civil Service. I am keen to see greater mobility in order that people working in one part of the Civil Service have an opportunity to move, deploy their skills elsewhere and enhance their experience. There is an existing mobility scheme but it is an area we can develop further.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Deputy Bruton has a minute remaining. If he would like to raise the issue that I inadvertently prevented him from raising earlier, this is his opportunity to do so.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Very briefly, will the Minister consider lifting the 10% carry-over restriction in respect of capital spending? When a body like Irish Water is already nearly 40% behind in its capital spending, there is a possibility that very important infrastructural projects could be held up in our regions.

In respect of Civil Service renewal, is the Minister aware that Enterprise Ireland invests substantially in taking Irish executives to Stanford University and other high-quality centres to develop their leadership skills? Should the renewal programme include a similar commitment for the public service? Should we have excellence funds in operation in most of our Departments in order that money is available that is not devoted to day-to-day spending but is focused on innovation?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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First, in regard to the capital carry-over restriction, any change in that provision would certainly require a change in legislation and may require a constitutional change. From discussion with my officials on this issue in recent months, it is not a straightforward matter. It is something I will examine further. It has implications, of course, for overall expenditure control and management because, from a public expenditure point of view, the more multi-annual dimensions we have to our public expenditure framework, the more the complexity is increased. What the Deputy is proposing can be achieved but my understanding is there will be a constitutional issue in respect of removing the 10% requirement.

Regarding the particular scheme being run by Enterprise Ireland, I will have a look at it. The Civil Service renewal strategy does not encompass all the initiatives that are under way within individual Departments. We are placing a focus on talent and skills development on a continuous basis across the Civil Service.