Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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566. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will encourage reform or policy initiatives with a view to maximising the potential for economic recovery and development in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13615/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Public Service Reform was a central element of the response to the challenges of recent years and remains an essential part of building for the future. Since the first Public Service Reform Plan was published in 2011, a comprehensive programme of reform has been implemented and this continues to be a key priority. This is important as the performance of the Public Service has major implications for the management of the State's finances, and for economic development and employment creation.

The final year of the implementation of the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-16 commenced in January and work is also continuing on implementing the Civil Service Renewal and other sectoral reform programmes. The Government has also committed to further reforms in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

A comprehensive Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-16 was published in April. The report was sent to all Deputies and is also available at We must build on this progress and maintain a focus on Public Service Reform over the coming years. It is essential that targeted recruitment and investment in public services is done in tandem with further Public Service reform measures, not least as current and future demographic trends will continue to place demands on public service delivery.

In addition to overseeing the final phase of the implementation of the current Reform Plan, I have asked my Department to initiate the development of the next phase of Public Service Reform. In this context, I can assure the Deputy that Public Service Reform will continue to be a key priority.