Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Budgetary and expenditure reform is a key feature of public expenditure management and is progressed in a number of ways including through regular engagement across Departments on cross cutting issues and through the public service reform programme.

The promotion of innovation may be seen within the overall context of budgetary reform through a range of initiatives including:

• Performance Budgeting;

• Equality Budgeting;

• Green Budgeting

• Well-being framework; and

• The Spending Review Process.

Together, these reforms aim to provide a more comprehensive insight into how public services are supporting society. They consider not only how and where the money is spent but also the impact of public expenditure across different cohorts of society. They work in tandem with broader initiatives, such as the establishment of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, to develop capacity and enhance the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making.

In terms of innovation initiatives as a standalone objective, the current framework for public service transformation is contained within Better Public Services, which builds on earlier reforms by my Department. The core of the Strategy is made up of three themes;

1. Digital innovation at scale,
2. Workforce and organisation of the future; and
3. Evidence informed policies and services designed for and with the public.

Making progress under these themes will support sectoral level reform programmes already underway in the Public Service and build on recent successes in the area of innovation across the Public Service.

Since its launch in May of last year, there has already been important cross-organisational initiatives established to drive digital innovation at scale, including Ireland’s ambitious ‘Life Events’ programme. This programme aims to deliver seamless end-to-end services, designed with and for our customers in a manner that ensures that key certificates and credentials are available digitally at all of our fingertips.

In November 2020, my Department published the Public Service Innovation Strategy, ‘Making Innovation Real’. My Department has since then assisted Public Service organisations in setting their own innovation goals and actions.

The Public Service Innovation Advisory Board was established in November 2021. The role of the board is to provide best practice, learnings and recommendations on driving innovation across the public service.

Finally, in 2023, the Public Service Innovation Fund allocated €750,000 to support 18 innovative projects in areas of Digital Transformation, Citizen Support Innovation, Green and Sustainable Initiatives. Since its establishment in 2019, the fund has supported around 100 projects.