Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the Croke Park agreement; if he has received implementation plans for the agreement from her Department and each State agency under her remit; the status of these implementation plans; the discussion she has had with the EU and IMF regarding the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29690/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An action plan was prepared by my Department in accordance with the requirements of the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement 2010 – 2014. Action Plans were also prepared by the agencies under the aegis of my Department, namely the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board.

My Department's Action Plan and those of the agencies under the aegis of my Department were prepared having regard to the economic and budgetary environment. Full implementation of the Action Plans requires major organisational change, involving changes in structures, business processes, administrative, operating and governance systems, practices and procedures, supported by significant human resource and ICT changes.

My Department is striving to provide an effective service to its customers in the most efficient manner that can reasonably be achieved and is fully committed to delivering on the Action Plans in order to secure service improvements and efficiencies. In accordance with paragraph 1.16 of the Public Service Agreement, a review of the implementation of the Agreement was undertaken in my Department. The progress and savings reports on the implementation of the Action Plan for the period to end March 2011 were submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 3rd May 2011. Similarly, the progress and savings reports of the agencies under the aegis of my Department were also submitted at that time. A second review of the implementation of the Agreement is currently being undertaken in my Department on the progress achieved over the 6-month period, April 2011 to September 2011, as requested by the Implementation Body.

Following these reviews, I can confirm that all targets to the end of September 2011 have been met and that all actions are currently on schedule for delivery in accordance with the specified timeframes. I wish to advise the Deputy that I have had no discussions with the EU and IMF regarding the Public Service Agreement.