Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the benefit accruing to the Exchequer arising from the implementation of reform proposals across all Departments and subsidiaries thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56672/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

241. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform has featured throughout all Departments in a way to ensure the benefits are experienced throughout the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56673/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

242. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value and benefit of reform measures throughout all Departments and subsidiaries thereof in such a way as to illustrate the benefits of reform in general, economically and socially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56674/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

246. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which reforms throughout the public sector remain in place to ensure accountability, collective responsibility and good value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56678/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 to 242, inclusive, and 246 together.

My Department works to serve the country, its people and the Government by delivering well managed and well-targeted public spending, delivered through modernised, effective and accountable public services. This has been demonstrated by significant reforms that have been developed and implemented since the Department was established in 2011. In regard to reform, the Department develops major initiatives in collaboration with Government Departments and public service sectors and works to enable the delivery of sectoral reform priorities.

Examples of reforms developed by my Department include those in relation to:

- Expenditure reforms and innovations in policy-making e.g. the establishment of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES)

- Digital Government and Data e.g. the infrastructure to provide online public services and the Open Data Strategy

- Shared services arrangements and procurement reform e.g. the establishment of the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) for shared HR, pensions and payroll services and the establishment of the Office for Government Procurement to lead procurement reform

- HR professionalisation and rules governing staff e.g. the Civil Service People Strategy and revised Disciplinary Code

- Successive Civil and Public Service Reform Plans e.g. Our Public Service and the Civil Service Renewal Plan

- Legislative reform to enhance trust and transparency across government e.g. Regulation of Lobbying, Protective Disclosures and Freedom of Information legislation

Our current plans are ambitious and will position the civil and wider public service to better respond to to current and future challenges faced by the country and society. In that context, I launched Civil Service Renewal 2030in May 2021. This ten-year strategy for the Civil Service is built on three core themes – Digital First and Embedding Innovation; Workforce, Workplace and Organisation of the Future, and Evidence-Informed Policy and Services. The strategic priorities will be achieved through a series of three-year Action Plans, the first of which is Civil Service Renewal 2024. Work on the next phase of public service reform is underway and this provides the opportunity to focus on the needs of the people we serve and service delivery. The next phase of reform will also build on the lessons learned from the successful innovations implemented during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Service Leadership Board (PSLB). comprised of senior leaders from across the civil and public service, will play a key role in leading the next phase of reform.