Prior to the launch of the ‘Transforming Public Services’ Programme, the modernisation programme of the Irish Public Service over the past 15 years was grounded in the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI). Its objectives were to ensure that, on an ongoing basis, the Public Service would:
- make a greater contribution to national development;
- be a provider of excellent services to the public; and
- make effective use of resources.
This set out the agenda for change in the Civil Service.
In February 1994, the Government agreed to the establishment of a Co-ordinating Group of Secretaries of Departments (This group became known as the Implementation Group of Secretaries General). This Group was to:
- consider the development of a strategic management process in the Irish Public Service,
- facilitate the preparation of strategy statements at the individual Department level, and
- oversee the allocation of a fund to assist Departments to acquire expertise in strategic planning and organisation development.
Following consideration of its First Report, the Government, in March 1995, mandated the Group to:
- review existing systems for making decisions, allocating responsibility and ensuring accountability in the Irish Service; and
- bring forward for Government consideration, proposals for an integrated programme to modernise the systems and practices in question and for the consequent modernisation of existing personnel and financial management in the Civil Service.
The Report, Delivering Better Government, was the Group’s response to the Government decision.
Delivering Better Government
Delivering Better Government (DBG) was published in May 1996, and gave clear direction to the programme for change and modernisation. DBG expanded on the framework set out in SMI and outlined an extensive modernisation process for the Irish Public Service, built around six key organisational themes. These included:
- Greater openness and accountability;.
- A mission of quality customer service; and
- The efficient and fair operation of simplified regulations.
Within Government Departments, these developments were to be underpinned by organisational improvements in human resource management, financial management, and enhanced information systems management.
Evaluation of the Progress of the SMI/DBG in the Civil Service
In 2002, PA Consulting Group completed a comprehensive and independent evaluation of the progress of the modernisation programme. The report, Evaluation of the Strategic Management Initiative concluded that the Civil Service was better managed and more effective than it was a decade previously and that the modernisation programme was the critical driver of change.
The Report also concluded that the next phase of the modernisation programme would require significant changes in a number of areas.