Public service taskforce established

A new taskforce has been established to develop an action plan for the modernisation of the public service.

The move comes comes after a recent OECD report drew attention to the huge growth in the number of state agencies

The report, which was published in April, recommended that there should be greater staff mobility between the Civil Service, State agencies and local  authorities.

The new taskforce, which was announced by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the Dáil this afternoon, will be chaired by Secretary General to the Government, Dermot McCarthy.

It comprises senior civil servants as well as people from the private sector. Members of the taskforce include Mark Ryan, country managing director of Accenture, John Moloney, Group managing director of Glanbia and Geraldine Tallon, Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The taskforce is expected to draw up a comprehensive framework for the renewal of public services, taking into account the conclusions and recommendations of the OECD report . 

Commenting on the OECD report this afternoon Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that while the OECD had outlined the strengths of the currently system it had also said that there was an insufficient focus on delivering outcomes in line with the needs of citizens.

"The Public Sector needs continuously to review its systems, processes and procedures, to ensure that it is responsive, efficient and that it provides  high quality, value for money services. In other words, citizens need to be sure that the Public Service will deliver the services it expects, when  needed, where needed, as needed," said the Taoiseach.

"The OECD's messages are clear - we need to put the public at the centre of our public services, and the public service modernisation process needs to  deliver results that are clear, useful and verifiable to the user.

"My ambition is for a renewed and flexible public service which can continue to command the respect and confidence of our citizens and taxpayers. With  the appointment of the Task Force today, I am taking the first of many steps to deliver on that commitment," he added. 

The taskforce is expected to complete its work by the end of the Summer.