1. What are the main themes/elements of Transforming Public Services?
'Transforming Public Services' recommends an integrated package of initiatives to be implemented over a three year framework focused on:
- Achieving improved performance by organisations and individuals within the Public Service;
- Creating flexibility in deployment of people, assets and other resources;
- Identifying the precise transformation agenda in each sector of the Public Service and engaging and mobilising the necessary actors; and
- Achieving greater efficiency, effectiveness and economy.
The TPS Programme sets out an extensive list of recommendations relating to prioritising and making more explicit the goals and targets of Government Departments and Offices, communicating these targets to the public, developing output targets so that the performance of individuals and organisations across the Public Service can be measured, greater involvement of the citizen in policy and service delivery issues, greater use of shared services and ICTs, managing the business of government in new ways and developing leaders in the Public Service.
2. Who is responsible for the implementation of Transforming Public Services?
Implementation of the change programme is being overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Transforming Public Services, chaired by the Taoiseach. The membership also includes the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills and the Ministers for Finance, Health and Children, Justice and Law Reform, and Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister of State with responsibility for Public Service Transformation, Mr. Dara Calleary, T.D., who was appointed in March 2010 to strengthen the political leadership of the transformation programme, is also a member of the Cabinet Committee.
The work of the Cabinet Committee is supported by the TPS Programme Office, which is based in the Department of the Taoiseach.
The TPS Programme Office supports organisations across the Public Service in their transformation efforts and also supports the Government in driving, co-ordinating and monitoring progress on implementation. It will also promote innovation and the piloting of new activities and identify areas for joint action by organisations.
In addition, designated officials have been charged with supporting the change agenda within each of the main branches of the Public Service.