Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the development of shared services at local authority level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55415/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The local authority sector has delivered expenditure savings of €830 million and staff reductions of 8,600 (a reduction of 23%) whole time equivalents since 2008. Shared services have been identified in the Local Government Efficiency Review and the Public Service Reform Plan as an important opportunity to make further savings in administrative costs without impacting on front line services.

To drive the reform agenda, and in particular shared service initiatives, in the local government sector a dedicated Programme Management Office (PMO) has been established, which reports to a high level oversight group. The PMO has been staffed and resourced drawing from existing expertise and resources in the sector. Experienced staff from a number of authorities, with a range of appropriate skills, have been seconded to the PMO. In order to support the Department and the PMO further in our work on shared services a shared services advisor has been recruited through open competition by the Public Appointments Service.

Overall, thirty one operational areas are being examined for potential as a shared service or other collaborative approach that may provide efficiencies. Prioritised areas for consideration in the shared services programme include Treasury Management, Payroll, Transactional HR, ICT, Housing Assessment, Application and Allocation, Accounts Payable, Debt Collection, Legal Services and Procurement.

The PMO has adopted a comprehensive methodology for the development and evaluation of projects including peer review of business cases. In relation to each area under consideration a standard project initiation document has been prepared. At this point, business cases have been prepared for a number of business areas including Payroll, Treasury Management, ICT, Legal Services and Housing. The Payroll, Treasury Management and Legal Services business cases have undergone peer review. The business case for ICT is complete and the case for Transactional HR is nearing completion. It is expected that both business cases will undergo peer review before year end.

The process in respect of a joint approach to procurement is at a more advanced stage and Kerry County Council is now the lead in the Local Authority National Procurement Office.

Outside the shared services programme local authorities continue to pursue delivery of efficient services on a shared and collaborative basis. In this regard, recent initiatives include Dublin City Council managing controls on a national basis for the movement of hazardous waste, and Offaly County Council acting as the lead local authority in respect of waste collection permitting.