Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his priorities in respect of public sector reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20638/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified areas of public sector reform likely to yield greatest benefit with minimum negative impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20643/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the practices identified by him as being most in need of reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20646/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 134 and 137 together.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to the most ambitious programme of Public Service Reform since the foundation of the State. This will take place in tandem with an equally significant programme of constitutional, political and institutional reform to ensure that there is a fundamental change in democratic and public governance, and a dramatic change in the cost efficiency and methods of delivery of public services. It is clear that the cost of delivering public services must be reduced further and that the Public Service must become better integrated and more customer-focused, as well as being leaner and more efficient.

The Government wants to make progress on this issue quickly and detailed implementation plans are being developed at present, which will encompass the commitments to Public Service reform in the Programme for Government and priority areas from the existing Transforming Public Services programme. The focus is on the key actions now required and how they will be implemented to ensure that substantive and tangible change is delivered within clearly defined timeframes.

These plans will focus on actions to improve performance by organisations and individuals; ensure greater efficiency, effectiveness and economy; and ensure flexibility in the deployment of people and resources. Particular priority areas will include eGovernment, shared services, public procurement, and business process improvement. The priorities and practices to be addressed will, of course, also be informed by the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which is underway across all Government Departments.

This ambitious programme of reform will be overseen by the recently established Cabinet Committee on Public Service Reform, which is chaired by the Taoiseach and which I convene. In addition, it is my intention to establish a dedicated office within my Department to facilitate, drive and support the reform programme. This office will work closely with organisations across the Public Service, enabling them to drive the delivery of reform at a local level, as well as leading on cross-cutting reform initiatives. The office will include appropriate expertise in areas such as shared services, business process improvement, and others as required.