Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the performance management systems implemented in her Department as specified in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47963/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department implements the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) as agreed in General Council Reports 1368, 1398 and 1452. Performance management in my Department and indeed across the civil service is already linked to promotion and to incremental progression.

The systems in place to address underperformance are now being assessed in light of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 which contains a commitment to "introduce significantly improved performance management across all Public Service areas. Following the current review, the Performance Management and Development System will be strengthened with promotion and incremental progression linked in all cases to performance and the implementation of appropriate systems to address under-performance, including, where appropriate, training or, where necessary, through disciplinary procedures".

In the civil service, work is well underway towards achieving this goal. The 2010 Evaluation of PMDS has been completed and negotiations with the Unions have commenced in relation to how the PMDS can be further strengthened. The Department of Finance has started rolling out initiatives, such as focus groups, in order to identify barriers to addressing under-performance, aimed at strengthening PMDS . My Department is committed to continuing its existing policies in addressing under-performance and to implementing any further changes to strengthen PMDS to support this position.