Update: Reforms and Efficiencies in Public Sector – Public Expenditure 9th October, 2014

QUESTION NO:   61
DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)
by Deputy Bernard J. Durkan
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 09/10/2014  

 To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he is satisfied that reforms and efficiencies throughout the public sector here are in line with best practice throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
 
REPLY.

Since this Government took office, sustainable and far reaching Public Service Reform has been a key element of our strategy to meet the challenges that have faced the country in recent years.   Public Service Reform will also continue to play a key role in our recovery.  

We published our first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011.   A Progress Report on the Reform Plan was published in September 2012 and a second Progress Report was published in January this year (available at www.reformplan.per.gov.ie).     These reports set out the significant progress that has been made to date.  

Some examples of this progress include:  

while meeting increased demand for services and a growing population, we have reduced staff numbers by around 32,000 or 10% since 2008 and the paybill has been reduced from €17.5 billion in 2009 to a forecasted €13.6 billion net by end 2014;
new working arrangements have been introduced, including longer working hours, new rosters, and standardised arrangements for annual leave and sick leave;  
we are implementing a radical overhaul of our approach to public procurement, with the Office of Government Procurement targeting savings of €500 million over three years;
Peoplepoint     the Civil Service wide Human Resources and Pensions Shared Services Centre     has been operational since March last year and now services over 25,000 employees across 19 organisations;  
an Action Plan to deliver efficiencies in the State’s property portfolio was published in mid 2013 and is currently being implemented;
we have issued over 800,000 Public Services Cards, which are currently being used for social welfare payments and the free travel scheme, and will cover a greater range of services over time;
the Office of Government Chief Information Officer has been established to maximise the potential benefits of digitalisation in delivering services and information;
the Government services portal – www.gov.ie – includes quick links to more than 400 information and transaction services;
we have launched a new Open Data portal – www.data.gov.ie – and a consultation process on data sharing;
a series of public expenditure reforms have been implemented to bring greater structure, scrutiny and openness to budgeting;
we are making good progress in implementing our programme of political and legislative reform, aimed at enhancing openness, transparency and accountability; and
we will shortly publish a Civil Service Renewal Plan setting out a new vision and strategy for the Civil Service.

In January this year, I published the Government’s second Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016.   There are over 230 specific actions set out in the Reform Plan including greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity and capability to deliver reform and service improvements across the Public Service.   The new Reform Plan is also available at www.reformplan.per.gov.ie.

Overall, I am satisfied that we have made very strong progress to date in an environment that has been signficantly more challenging than most other EU Member States.   Our future plans are in line with, and frequently exceed, best practice across Europe and our progress has been noted and is well regarded internationally.   The levels of reform we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution to date.