Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

215. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has conducted a capacity review of her Department’s ability to deliver services that they are responsible for in the past ten years to date; the same of State bodies and agencies under her Department’s aegis; if she published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews and same for State bodies and agencies under her aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40845/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Details of capacity reviews conducted by my Department or on behalf of my Department or bodies under its aegis are outlined below:

Development of a Strategic Workforce Plan

This plan involves the development of a methodology to workforce planning that supports service delivery. The plan will include the development of an approach to digitise back office functions where possible, maintain staff morale while retaining appropriate levels of frontline service delivery to members of the public.

Work on the plan commenced in 2024 and is being conducted by KPMG. No recommendations have yet been made as work is in progress. Total expenditure to date is €622,513 (inc. VAT).

Citizens Information Board (CIB) Periodic Critical Review

My Department undertook a Periodic Critical Review (PCR) of the Citizens Information Board. The PCR considers performance against the original mandate of the body and the changing external environment and to identify scope for improvement. Staff from my Department conducted a PCR of the Citizens Information Board which was completed in 2022. The report is published on gov.ie: .

As the review was completed by officials within the Department of Social Protection, no cost was incurred. There were a total of 25 recommendations contained in the review. As of October 2024, 16 recommendations are completed, and nine recommendations are in progress.