Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the opportunities that persons in lower grades of the Public Service have been afforded ion contributing to the reforms of the public service as sought in the Public Service Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50637/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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During the second half of 2011, and as part of an initiative to improve internal communications in the context of the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement, my Department held a series of staff seminars throughout the country. The seminars gave senior management an opportunity to communicate with staff members and receive feedback regarding the changes that have already taken place and the changes that will be necessary in the coming years. A ‘Staff Suggestion Scheme’ was subsequently launched, which seeks the input of all staff members and gives them an opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions at any time.

The Department also seeks the views of staff members on major initiatives. For example, views were sought when the Department published its revised ‘Action Plan’ under the Public Service Agreement. A Department-wide consultation process was also held for the Statement of Strategy 2011-2014.

My Department also has a formal ‘Partnership’ structure, which is a structure within the Civil Service established to enable management, unions and staff members at all levels to actively participate in discussing and resolving issues and challenges.