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

464. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the transfer of the OneLearning service from his Department/National Shared Services Office, along with a number of civil servants, to the Institute of Public Administration was carried out in accordance with public sector procurement rules, rules around State aid, and the terms of national agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17143/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department  has central responsibility for Civil Service learning and development policies and supports for all levels up to and including the Senior Public Service (SPS). The SPS Team predominantly focuses on those at the most senior levels, working in close collaboration with OneLearning colleagues who provide training that is common across the Civil Service with a particular focus on CO-PO level. Learning and Development Units across the Civil Service also source and procure tailored learning and development solutions for their organisations.

The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) is a recognised college of the National University and operates as a publicly-funded organisation under the ageis of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR).

The IPA focuses exclusively on public sector development and provides supports to public bodies, such as education, training, and research to a broad range of public bodies, including Government Departments, Local Authorities, the HSE, etc. 

The Government Decision (June 2010), provided for the establishment of the Senior Public Service and included the intention to extend the focus to the broader public service over time to cover non-commercial state-sponsored bodies, local authorities, and the health and education services.  

The Senior Public Service (SPS) was established in 2011, in recognition of the need for effective, unified leadership at senior levels of the civil and public service to deliver on key challenges facing the country and envisaged:

- the creation of a Senior Public Service to encompass top level management across Civil Service in a common management pool;

- a structured development programme and mobility between organisations to support a whole of government philosophy of public service management;

- a focus on Civil Service first – but then to encompass the broader senior public service leadership at some point.

In line with the ongoing reform of public services, the optimisation of shared services across the Government sector continues in many areas such as ICT, procurement, payroll, financial and HR services.Senior officials in my Department are working with the IPA to transfer the operational activities of the SPS and OneLearning in (DPENDPDR) to the IPA. 

This change will support an integrated strategic approach to providing best in class professional learning and leadership development across the public service.The pre transfer phase is now under way and includes consideration of all requirements; procurement, staffing etc. and good progress has been made so far.  

The demand for professional learning and leadership development is continually increasing within the context of a highly challenging public service operating environment. The integration of existing services provided by DPENDPDR with the IPA will provide for a specialist learning and development focus to support further development across the public service.DPENDPDR will continue in its governance role of the IPA.

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

465. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the closure of the international and research services of the IPA will lead to a discontinuation of the public sector trends reports; if this was agreed with his Department in advance; if the Institute of Public Administration’s grant in aid was discussed in light of recent changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17144/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am informed by the IPA that the IPA has not taken the decision to close the Institute’s international services. However, as the IPA is undergoing a significant transformation at this time to enable the implementation of the organisation’s new five-year strategy (A New Era for Learning 2022-2027), the decision has been taken by management to pause taking on any new international work until Q1 2025. It is important to note that this does not affect any existing international work that the IPA is engaged in which will continue as normal. Future international work will be undertaken in accordance with strategic priorities.

With regards to the Institute’s research activities, the research unit will be restructured to align with the priorities of the new strategic plan which seeks to integrate research more closely within the teaching and learning practice of the IPA. In doing so, the strategy aims to strengthen the Institute’s authoritative position on public administration with the emphasis on building the IPA’s thought leadership capability. This will mean a re-prioritisation of services but no decision has been taken at this point to discontinue the public sector trends reports. The restructuring of the research unit has been discussed and agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The funding dimension of this transformation will be kept under review as appropriate.

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

466. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if other agencies, public bodies, local authorities, State agencies or bodies funded by public funding will be required to deliver their training needs to the IPA; what commitments have been made as part of the new developments regarding OneLearning; what properties have been secured; what recruitment has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17145/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am informed by the IPA that it is planned that the range of training courses provided by OneLearning will be available to the wider public service over time. In the immediate term, the current training provided by OneLearning will continue with the priority to ensure business continuity across the civil service. In this regard, there are a number of providers under contract with the Department to provide a wide range of training courses via OneLearning which will continue as normal. In time, once the transfer of OneLearning to the IPA has taken place, the Institute will commence the provision of training courses in conjunction with providers to the wider public service in a planned and phased manner.  Agencies, public bodies, local authorities, State agencies and other public-funded bodies will therefore be able to avail of the courses on offer via OneLearning. However, it will not be a requirement to deliver all training requirements through the IPA as there will always be unique and specialist requirements that may not be covered within the OneLearning portfolio.

The IPA and DPENDPR are currently engaged in the pre-transfer process which will facilitate the planned transfer of OneLearning to the Institute. This is expected to be completed in the coming months after which, an implementation plan will be scoped to ensure the smooth transition process. Therefore, there have been no developments as yet regarding properties or recruitment.