Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Performance/Accountability
20.7 It is essential that modern and appropriate performance and accountability systems are in place, at
individual, team and organisational levels to ensure that the full potential contribution of all those
who work in the public service can be realised and to ensure that resources are used effectively in line
with defined national priorities. Robust performance and financial management systems are essential
in this regard. Where these are not already in place, the parties agree that appropriate performance
management systems will be introduced so that developed performance management systems will be
fully operating in each sector of the public service by 1st January, 2005
Recruitment
20.8 The provision of high quality, value-for-money services requires all public service organisations,
wherever they are located, to have access to people with necessary skills and expertise, and to have
them available in a timely and efficient manner. This requires greater flexibility to recruit and
promote staff in accordance with the needs and circumstances of each individual organisation. In
particular, open recruitment beyond existing levels must take place to enable the public service to
widen the pool of skills and experience from which it can draw. Legislation to reform recruitment and
appointment processes in the public service will also be introduced.
Partnership
20.9 The partnership approach has been a useful mechanism to help secure delivery of change and
modernisation in organisations where it has become well-established. The parties are committed
to building upon the structures that have been established, and to further embedding and refining
the process across the public service, in order to deliver real improvements in performance at
organisational level, involve staff in the change and modernisation process and improve the working
environment
Efficient Use of Resources
20.10 The NESC (Strategy Report, 2002) has emphasised the importance of achieving better value for public
expenditure through better planning, more accountability, basing decisions on priorities and
developing an evaluation culture. It has also concluded that achievement of this objective requires
accelerated progress on public service modernisation.
20.11 Over the course of this Agreement there will be a renewed effort to ensure that maximum value is
achieved from all public expenditure in terms of defined outputs and outcomes. In particular, this will
include improved financial and management information systems; better expenditure evaluation
systems; stronger links between evaluation and resource allocation at all levels; identifying and
developing delivery mechanisms for services and infrastructure on the basis of value-for-money, and
strengthening mechanisms for ensuring accountability for performance outcomes to the Government
and the Oireachtas. The parties to this Agreement will co-operate fully with the modernisation and
change required to ensure that these objectives are achieved.
Part 2 Pay and the Workplace
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