merrion street

Minister Howlin and Minister of State Hayes at the launch with Paul Reid, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin and Public Service Reform Minister Brian Hayes, today published the Government’s new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 and the Second Progress Report on its previous Reform Plan.

Just over two years since the Government’s first Public Service Reform Plan was published, the new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 builds on the progress made on implementing the first Reform Plan and sets out an ambitious new phase of reform. The Second Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2011 sets out the real advances that the Public Service has made in reducing costs, improving productivity, more online delivery of services and the introduction of shared services, to name just some areas.

Minister Howlin said:

The new Reform Plan will set the basis for a new Public Service, one that is focused on delivering better outcomes for citizens and business customers; one that is efficient and responsive; and one in which public servants are empowered to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Minister of State Hayes acknowledged the progress made, and also the need to maintain the focus on delivery:

While we have made considerable progress in terms of Public Service reform, we still have further work to do. We must continue to drive the implementation of the Reform Programme with energy and commitment.

There are four key themes running through the new Reform Plan:

• delivery of improved outcomes for service users - based on using alternative models of service delivery and improvements in service delivery at sectoral and organisational levels;
• achieving and utilising the “reform dividend” - freeing up resources by making existing processes more cost effective and efficient, and using the savings to invest in improved services;
• greater digitalisation and use of open data - to deliver services and information in innovative ways; and
• more openness, transparency and accountability - to strengthen trust in government and public services, and to enhance public governance.