Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

386. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the programme of organisational capability reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20495/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Action 20 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan sets out the ambition to undertake a programme of regular and objective assessments of the capability of Departments to achieve their objectives. These reviews are to be forward-looking, conducted in collaboration with the Department under review and focus on the areas of Leadership, Strategy, Delivery/Implementation and overall Organisational Capability (with a focus on the corporate support areas of the Department). The reviews are also designed to propose practical recommendations/actions to develop and improve overall capability.

While the team of officials tasked with delivering this programme of work is based in my Department, responsibility regarding operational issues affecting the work of the OCRs lies with a sub-group of the Civil Service Management Board (CSMB). The reviews are conducted in collaboration with the Department under review and the process and methodology was designed by the CSMB which also has responsibility for deciding on the timing of reviews in the various Departments.

To-date reviews have been completed in 6 Departments as follows:

Transport, Tourism & Sport (2017)

Courts Service (2018)

Business, Enterprise & Innovation (2018)

Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht (2019)

Housing, Planning & Local Government (2019)

Rural & Community Development (2020)

Due to the ongoing Covid19 restrictions, I understand the CSMB is currently considering how best to manage the future programme of reviews with so many staff continuing to work remotely.