Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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87. To ask the Taoiseach if he has conducted a capacity review of his 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 his Department’s aegis; if he published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews, and same for State bodies and agencies under his aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40848/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of the Taoiseach’s purpose is to help the Taoiseach and the Government to ensure a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the Government’s Programme and to build a better future for Ireland and all her citizens.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the aegis of the Department and is the corporate body of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) who advise the Taoiseach on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland. Both the Department and NESDO publish an Annual Report which documents progress in delivering the objectives set out in their Statements of Strategy.

The Department of the Taoiseach is primarily a policy Department and does not have a direct role in delivering services to the public. While a capacity review has not been undertaken in the period specified, the resources assigned to the various Divisions of the Department are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure optimal resource deployment in line with Government priorities and to ensure that the Department is agile and responsive to emerging priorities.