Background to the Review
What is the purpose of this review?
The purpose of this Review is to benchmark the public service in Ireland against other comparable countries and make recommendations regarding future directions for public service reform. There will be a particular emphasis on how the various parts of the public service relate to each other, including the Civil Service and particular sectors, such as Local Government, Health, Education and Justice.
Who is undertaking the Review?
The review is being undertaken by the OECD's Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate. In addition to the core OECD Team, national experts from other OECD countries will also be involved as 'peer reviewers'.
The OECD, which is based in Paris, was established in 1961 with Ireland as one of its twenty founding members. The OECD is an international organisation, with 30 full members, which promotes dialogue and the exchange of good practices in public and corporate governance issues, including issues relating to the economy, policy making, human resource management, ethics and information technology. Much of the OECD's work is based on peer review and dialogue and it has extensive databases and access to key policymakers through its network of committees and working parties.
For further information on the OECD, please see:
www.oecd.org
When will the review conclude?
It is expected that the review will be completed by the end of 2007.
Terminology
What is meant by the 'Public Service'?
In the context of this review, the term 'Public Service' is used to describe those organisations that are publicly funded and staffed, for the most part, by whole-time permanent public servants and together make up what is commonly known as the "Public Service" i.e.
- Civil Service - Government Departments and Offices and agencies which report directly to them;
- Education sector - organisations such as first and second level schools, institutes of technology, universities, VECs etc;
- Health sector - hospitals, Health Service Executive etc.
- Justice sector - An Garda Síochána, Courts Service, Prison Service etc.
- Local Government Sector - City and County Councils, Town and Urban District Councils etc.
What is meant by the 'Civil Service'?
In the context of this review, the "Civil Service" relates to Government Departments that have a Minister directly in charge of them plus a limited number of Offices, such as the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Central Statistics Office, the Public Appointments Service etc.
What is meant by the 'Health Sector'?
In the context of this review, the 'Health Sector' includes the Health Services Executive, hospitals, primary, community and continuing care services, emergency services, public health clinics, public care homes, etc.
What is meant by the 'Education Sector'?
In the context of this review, the 'Education Sector' includes schools and other centres of education, , third level institutes, the Department of Education & Science and agencies under its aegis e.g, the State Exams Commission, the National Education Welfare Board, VECs, etc.
What is meant by 'Local Government Sector'?
In the context of this review, 'Local Government' includes county councils, city councils, borough councils and town councils, as well as regional authorities and regional assemblies.
What is meant by the 'Justice Sector'?
In the context of this review, the "Justice Sector" includes the Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Parole Board, the Courts Service, the Judiciary, the Chief State Solictor's Office, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Property Registrations Authority, Refugee Applications Commissioner, etc.
Your Input
Why am I being asked for my views?
As part of the OECD Review, a consultative process is now being undertaken. The general public, interested parties and stakeholders are being given the opportunity to make their views known on matters relating to all aspects of the Public Service.
How will my contribution help?
Your contribution is important as it will broaden the range of views and ideas that the OECD will consider as part of their review. The OECD will, of course, have a number of meetings with officials and other stakeholders and access to a large database of written documents. However, the views expressed through the consultation process will be a useful additional source of material for the OECD.
Do I have to answer every question?
No. Simply answer the questions that you wish to. You may have issues or organisations that you feel strongly about while there be may other issues on which you have no opinion. Its entirely up to you.
Do I have to complete the questionnaire in one go?
No. We appreciate that there are may be a lot questions involved so feel free to answer the questionnaire one part at a time and send it to us that way if you wish.
If I include my name/contact details, how will that information be used?
The decision to include your name and / or contact details on your submission is entirely up to you. To participate in the consultation process, it is not necessary to provide personal details.
If you do provide personal details, please note that they may be made available to external parties as part of the reporting of the consultation process. They may, for example, form part of a list of participants which could be published, and/or made available to the OECD to provide a better understanding of the comments made and/or made available under Freedom of Information legislation. If you have any further queries on this, please contact the Department of the Taoiseach (contact details below).
Will I have access to information on the outcomes of the review?
Yes. The findings of the review will be published in early 2008 and it will be posted on the website
www.bettergov.ie. It will also be available in hard-copy format.
General Information
Where can I get further information?
Further information on the review and the consultation process can be seen on the Better Government website, at
www.bettergov.ie. You can also contact the Department of the Taoiseach (contact details below).
For further information on Government and the Irish Public Service, including Government Departments, Offices and Agencies, please visit the central Government website, at
www.gov.ie.
For further information on the OECD, please see the OECD's website at
www.oecd.org.
Contact Details
Marc McManus
Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street
Dublin 2
Tel. (+353 1) 619 4000
Email:
OECDReview@taoiseach.gov.ie
