Government to establish accountability board for civil service

The Government has just published a three-year plan to overhaul the civil service which it says aims to provide a 'world-class' service.

Government to establish accountability board for civil service

The Government has just published a three-year plan to overhaul the civil service which it says aims to provide a "'world-class"' service.

It plans to manage the service as a unified entity rather than the current practice of 16 separate Government Departments.

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In the first 200 days, a new accountability board will be established chaired by An Taoiseach, a performance review for Secretaries General will take place and recruitment will take place for the first time since before the economic crisis.

Bonus or performance-related pay arrangements are ruled out for the 36,000 staff, as is a recommendation for the appointment of a head of the civil service.

The Government says the public will see a more efficient and effective public service, while staff will see more opportunities and where exceptional performance is recognised and celebrated.

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin said that underperformance will be dealt with.

“We want to have a common, and we’re going to have it, a common training programme across the civil service, so that people who are given tasks that are clear will be given the support and the skills to achieve those tasks, and put in a measurement system to ensure that they do it,” he said.

“And if they don’t, then there will be consequences. It might be simply redeployment, it might be simply better training, or it might be, ultimately, just letting them go.”

The Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) today described the Government’s decision to not appoint a head of the country’s civil service as a significant missed opportunity.

While broadly welcoming the Government’s intention to implement reform proposals aimed at producing a more cohesive civil service, the AHCPS believes a civil service lead role is necessary and should be implemented in line with the best practice civil administrative.

Such a position, according to ACHPS General Secretary Ciaran Rohan “could have be used as a catalyst for change and to better manage the oversight of policy priorities”

Mr. Rohan continued: “The Independent Panel on Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance made a strong case for the appointment of a new head of Ireland’s civil service and we hope this recommendation will remain under consideration.

“We also fully endorse proposals for a management board for the civil service. This will enable better management of cross-Departmental issues.’

“Too often the work and dedication of civil servants has not been sufficiently visible to the general public and often real achievement has passed unnoticed.

“The decision to appoint a spokesperson and to establish a communications unit for the civil service, is a long overdue and will hopefully allow for greater understanding and comprehension of the work of the men and women of the Irish civil service.

“We welcome the Government’s move to opening up recruitment at all levels within the civil service. However, we should not lose sight of the high calibre people currently employed in the civil service. Such talent should be fostered and promoted and should not be ignored at the expense of outside recruitment.”

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