merrion street

Building on the commitment to shared services set out in the Programme for Government and the Public Service Reform Plan, the Government yesterday agreed a strategic approach to progress shared services in all sectors of the Public Service.

The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Public Service Reform, Mr. Brian Hayes, T.D., is taking a lead role in driving work in this priority area. It is also expected that a shared services expert with extensive experience in the field will join the Reform and Delivery Office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform shortly.

Minister Hayes noted the importance of maintaining a strong focus on delivery and stated that "This Government is committed to a wide ranging reform agenda. Reform is not just about reducing the size of the public service but it’s also important that we radically reform the way we deliver services so as to ensure value for money. A key area we are focused on achieving substantial reform is in the area of shared services where we have to use the flexibilities under Croke Park to ensure reform is driven and that we deliver public services in a more efficient, cost effective way. Work on a shared service approach to Human Resources is already well advanced and in line with our ambitious reform plan a Cost Benefit Analysis will be presented to Cabinet by the end of March. I have no doubt that the expertise we are building in the Reform and Delivery Office will ensure that the use of shared services right across the Public Service is both expanded and accelerated"

In addition to the priorities identified for the Civil Service, the key sectors of Health, Education, Justice and Defence have also been asked to prepare shared services plans during the first half of this year. It is intended that the Cabinet Committee on Public Service Reform will regularly consider the progress being made in implementing these plans.