Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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21. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the Civil Service accountability consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16813/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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On 9 January last, I published a consultation paper on strengthening Civil Service accountability and performance.  The aim of this paper was to begin an extensive public consultation process on the key issue of who is accountable to whom and for what in the Civil Service.  I also established an Independent Panel on Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance, chaired by Professor Kevin Rafter, Dublin City University, to manage and oversee this public consultation process, and review submissions received.  The deadline for receipt of submissions as part of this public consultation process was 31 March.  To date, I understand that 36 submissions have been received.  All submissions will be published on my Department's website in due course.

  The Independent Panel is currently reviewing the submissions received. Following on from this, and also from the Panel's own review and examination of relevant issues, the Panel will develop recommendations for my consideration by end May.  Further to these recommendations and those of the Civil Service Renewal Task Force relating to this area, I expect to bring proposals to Government for action to strengthen civil service accountability and performance.