Speech by Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny T.D. Launch of the Civil Service Renewal Plan

Thank you for joining us today for the launch of the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Plan.

The past few years has seen our country face huge challenges.

Together we have taken on these challenges, we are dealing with them – and we have put Ireland on the road to recovery.

For this I want to take this opportunity to thank all public servants for their hard work and service to the State as we set our country right again.

Part of our recovery plan has been the sweeping reform of State institutions to ensure they are all better positioned to deal with the challenges facing our country.

The Plan for the Renewal of the Irish Civil Service being launched today is a big step forward for us all.

It will help us serve the Irish people better by promoting even higher standards of professionalism, accountability and efficiency.

Today’s plan outlines the next exciting phase of renewal and change and I look forward to seeing this change in action.

We are determined to modernise and reform Irish public administration – to re-build trust and make it fit for the modern day challenges we all face as a nation.

As evidence of this commitment the Government has already introduced radical and sweeping changes to many institutions across the State.

As of this year Local Government in Ireland has changed forever with the streamlining of local administration into new municipal districts. It has resulted in the reduction of local authorities from 114 to 31, and nearly halving the number of elected representatives.

We have just seen the most important reform of the Judiciary since the Constitution was passed, with the establishment this week of a new Court of Appeal.

We are changing the approach to policing with legislation being drafted to establish a Policing Authority, enhanced powers for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, and an open, international competition for appointment of the next Garda Commissioner.

On the economic side we have introduced a new bankruptcy and insolvency framework, along with legislation to reform legal services.

And we have dumped the outdated and passive model of social protection through our new Pathways to Work strategy which has seen a new intensive engagement with jobseekers in Intreo Offices across the country.

There are many more examples to support our commitment to change and reform.

All of this has been achieved, while also driving through savings of €1billion in public service pay under Haddington Road and significantly reducing public service numbers.

The staff of the public service have responded with increased flexibility and have continued to provide – and in many cases improve services, despite the financial pressures and increased demand for services.

The Civil Service Renewal Programme is another important milestone in our recovery plan.

The Vision being set out today is that the Civil Service “will provide a World-class service to the State and to the People of Ireland”.
A key principle is that the Civil Service will remain an independent, impartial body serving the Irish State and the people of Ireland.

As Taoiseach, I have seen the contribution of civil servants in helping Ireland exit the EU-IMF bailout programme, in implementing the Action Plan for Jobs and in managing a successful EU Presidency.

The reforms announced today will build on the capacity that we already have, while changing those areas where needed.

This Renewal Plan sets out 25 clear and ambitious actions to ensure that we get a Civil Service which is:
– Unified and works effectively in a joined-up way
– Professional in all that it does
– Responsive to new and ever-changing demands
– Open to external ideas and Accountable for performance

In the next 200 days we will see:
– Open recruitment competitions, including at key grades that will provide the top management of the future;
– Enhanced autonomy and accountability, more outside expertise and better talent management;
– A review of the disciplinary code, to ensure that persistent under-performers can be dealt with effectively;
– A first performance review process for Secretaries General; and the
– Establishment of a Civil Service Accountability Board and a new, unified Civil Service Management Board.
If we succeed, we will have a Civil Service which recruits the right people, develops their skills and uses those skills effectively to serve the Irish people.

I know that the 35,000 staff of the Civil Service are proud of the work they do.

I believe this Plan is a great opportunity for all civil servants – to be leaders of change, to help provide a better service, and to continue to play their part in Ireland’s recovery.

I will now hand over to Minister Howlin.

Thank You