Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to utilise reform policies throughout the public sector in the course of the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12336/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Public Service Reform is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for recovery. The reforms delivered over the past four years have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, at a time of increased demand for public services.

A new Public Service Reform Plan was published in January 2014 and sets out the priorities for reform for the period 2014 to 2016. While maintaining an emphasis on efficiency and reducing costs, this Plan puts a particular focus on improved service delivery and achieving better outcomes for service users. 

There are over 230 specific actions set out in the Reform Plan, including making greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity to deliver reform and service improvements across the Public Service.

A Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 was published earlier this month. A copy of the report was sent to all Members of the Oireachtas and it is also available at . As well as setting out the progress made on reform over the past 12 months, this report also outlines the priorities for the coming year. The Deputy will also be aware that the Taoiseach and I published a Civil Service Renewal Plan in October last year. The implementation of this ambitious three year plan will lead to very significant changes right across the Civil Service.

Overall, I am satisfied that we have made very strong progress on Public Service Reform to date and that this progress will continue over the coming years. The levels of reform that we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution to date.