Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1168. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of foresight or future planning that operates within his Department; who is responsible for long-term planning; the input these individuals or teams have into Departmental policy and practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61668/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has a well established corporate governance framework in place, which includes the structures necessary for effective forward planning across policy, programmes, schemes and corporate affairs. In addition to Management Board meetings, the full Senior Management Team (SMT) comprising all heads of business units meets regularly to discuss and consider issues around policy, delivery and corporate development. These structures have played an important role in contributing to the development of long term national policy, including Our Rural Future, the Government’s blueprint for Rural Development in Ireland, and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, which sets out and the long-term vision for Community Development in Ireland. The Department also has long terms plans in place with regard to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language.

With regard to long term organisational development, the Inspection, Compliance and Business Development unit has the overall responsibility within the Department. It has led on implementation of the Department's Organisational Capability Review Process and continues to co-ordinate long term business development of the Department on an ongoing basis. It makes use of the SMT structures noted above in terms of the development of plans and monitoring progress in implementation.