The Public Service has seen many changes throughout the years, from the Strategic Management Initiative, launched in 1994, continuing onto the Public Service Modernisation (PSM) and the Transforming Public Services (TPS) Programme which arose from the OECD Review of the Public Service in 2008.

While recognising the commitment and effort that has always been a feature of the Irish Public Service, the time is now opportune to engage with a new process of change. It is widely acknowledged that the cost of delivering public services must be reduced further. But as well as becoming more efficient, the Public Service must also become better integrated, more flexible, more responsive and more focused on the citizen.

The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious programme of Public Service reform. In this context, the Government has already announced a comprehensive review of all areas of public spending to ensure that there is value for money in delivering public services. There will also be a requirement to improve productivity and performance in the context of significantly reduced staff numbers.

The Programme for Government also envisages a renewed focus on a range of reform issues, including legislative change to facilitate more open, transparent and better government, an increased focus on eGovernment and shared services, giving citizens greater choice and input into service delivery, improving regulatory design and practice, and a more empowered, skilled and focused Public Service to deliver these changes.

The Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement will be a cornerstone of the reform agenda, and the full potential of the Agreement will be used to deliver the greater flexibility, redeployment and changed work practices required. Since the Agreement was ratified last June, many changes to the way public services are delivered have been implemented, with the agreement and co-operation of management and staff (see implementationbody.gov.ie for more details). The agreement has provided an important framework for co-operation between the Government and its employees against the background of reduced resources and staff numbers.

Progress on the reform programme and details of new initiatives will be posted on this website in a regular and timely manner, as well as through OneGov Newsletter.

On 17th November, 2011, Minister for public expenditure & reform Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D., announced a number of important initiatives for the reform of the Public Service. This included a Public Service Reform of the Public Service. This included a Public Service Reform Plan and an accompanying Government Statement. This marks the next phase in the Government’s reform programme and will set the basis for change across all sectors of the Public Service for the coming years.