Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Part 2 Sustaining Progress
104
Section 20: Commitment to Modernisation
Commitment to Modernisation of the Public Service
20.1 The ambitious vision which underpins this Agreement and the benchmarking approach in general can
only be realised through significant improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of public service
delivery. A key determinant of national well-being, competitiveness and social inclusion will be the
further development of a public service which:
■ is quality, performance and results driven;
■ achieves value-for-money;
■ is focused on the needs of its customers;
■ is accountable;
■ responds flexibly and rapidly to change; and
■ promotes equal opportunities.
20.2 Significant progress has been achieved over recent years in modernising the public service. The
Strategic Management Initiative in the Civil Service and similar frameworks in other sectors have led
to better services for the public and an improved workplace environment for public service staff.
However, progress has been variable between sectors and between organisations within each sector.
20.3 Over the period of this Agreement there will be limited scope for further increases in public expenditure.
This means that the capacity of the public service to meet the challenge of increasing demand for high
quality services depends on an acceleration of the pace of modernisation and change across all sectors
of the public service. The parties therefore reaffirm their full commitment to the further development
and accelerated implementation of modernisation frameworks in each sector of the public service in order
to secure the flexibility required to achieve the highest international standards.
Modernisation Themes
20.4 In the context of advancing modernisation over the period of this Agreement, several key themes
which are common to each sector of the public service are described briefly in the paragraphs below.
Specific modernisation agendas agreed for delivery within the Civil Service, Health, Education and
Local Government sectors are outlined in Sections 22 to 25.
Stable Industrial Relations
20.5 The parties recognise the importance of stable industrial relations and are committed to maintaining
a well-managed industrial relations environment in order to minimise disputes affecting the level of
service to the public. This will have benefits for both the general public and the public service itself.
Flexibility
20.6 The parties are committed to increased flexibility to ensure that public services are delivered in a
manner which more closely reflects the needs of its customers. Co-operation with ongoing flexibility
and change is dealt with in more detail in Section 21.