Fit for Purpose? Progress Report on Public Service Reform

When the Institute published the research paper Fit for Purpose? two years ago, we sought to contribute to the next phase of public service reform by identifying some of the key challenges for Irish public administration and some of the priority areas where change is necessary.

In this paper we re-visit the challenges set out in Fit for Purpose? and assess progress two years down the road. At a time of unrelenting media attention, there is a need now more than ever for sound evidence to show what is actually changing in the public service. This paper seeks to identify where real progress is being made, and to highlight where further progress or new initiatives are needed.

The Institute of Public Administration was founded to promote the study and improve the standard of public administration. These are goals we take seriously. Our intention is that this paper, and others in our State of the Public Service research series, provides sound evidence as the basis for an informed debate on the future direction of the public service in Ireland.

Fit for Purpose? Challenges for Irish Public Administration and Priorities for Public Service Reform

The depth of the current economic and fiscal crisis has raised concerns about the Irish political and administrative system, and prompted calls for fundamental reform of our structures of public governance. Both the state and its financial system are reliant on international support. This crisis requires a coherent response from our public administration. There is recognition that this change cannot simply be a repeat or extension of the public service reform programmes of the past. It will need to be more radical than this. Over the coming years, the numbers employed in the public service will continue to fall and expenditure will need to be restrained, targeted and prioritised. The Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (the Croke Park Agreement) sets out a framework for change. But there is a need to look beyond the agreement to consider more fundamentally the future role of public administration in the context of the new economic and social dispensation in Ireland. Our public services need to adapt to this new environment if they are to continue to be fit for purpose.

In this paper we set out the main challenges facing public administration and where we see reform as vital. We note what changes have taken place to date, including experience with previous reform efforts, and outline what should happen next. Where appropriate, we draw on national and international practice to provide exemplars of change.

Public Sector Trends 2010

This report examines trends in public sector development over the last decade. The debate on Ireland’s public sector and public administration, and its role in Irish society, is one that generates much passion. But there is often a dearth of evidence brought to bear on the debate. On the one side are those who feel we have a ‘bloated’ public sector and who emphasise the need to cut back and ‘rein in’ public services. On the other side are those who extol the virtues of the services provided to the public and the benefits that many people receive from public services on a day-to-day basis.

Here we try to bring some evidence to bear on the important debate on the future shape of the public sector. Using data gathered from a number of sources, information on the size and cost of the public sector, the quality of public administration, efficiency and performance, and levels of trust and confidence is presented in a simple but rigorous manner.

National Non-Commercial State Agencies in Ireland

In this first report in the series, we examine changes in the landscape of national non-commercial agencies in Ireland. The role, performance, and corporate governance of agencies have been major topics for discussion and debate in recent times, as has the number of agencies involved in public service provision. This study brings much needed evidence from national and international practice to inform this debate, and makes recommendations on how these issues can be addressed for the future.

Review of National Non-Commercial State Agencies in Ireland: 2010-2015

The Irish public service comprises a complex and multi-faceted system employing many thousands of people who are responsible for delivering countless services to citizens and communities on a daily basis throughout the country. Ensuring that our public service operates consistently to the highest standard is an ongoing challenge and also the subject of much debate. Over the course of its history the Institute of Public Administration has sought to contribute to, and inform, debate on the performance of our public service.

In this report, we examine changes in the landscape of national non-commercial agencies in Ireland. The role, performance, and corporate governance of agencies have been major topics for discussion and debate in recent times, as has the number of agencies involved in public service provision. The Institute has been to the forefront in providing evidence to inform this debate, being the first to map the state agency landscape in 2005, and again in 2010. This study provides the latest update, and brings much needed evidence from national and international practice.

In the State of the Public Service research series, we seek to provide evidence-informed research and commentary on key aspects of contemporary Irish public administration, including its organisational form, systems, people and processes. The authors of these reports bring their considerable expertise and practical knowledge to the topics selected so as to provide evidence, insights and recommendations to support future development. Our aim is that these reports will not only inform, but also challenge current thinking about how the Irish public service performs. It is intended that these short research reports will be of relevance and use not only to public servants, but also to policy-makers and the wider public.

Public Sector Trends 2015

This report examines trends in public sector development and is the sixth in our annual series. The intention is to help inform the debate on Ireland’s public sector and public administration, and its role in Irish society.

Here we try to bring some evidence to bear on the important debate on the future shape and size of the public sector. Using data gathered from a number of sources, information on the size and cost of the public sector, the quality of public administration, efficiency and performance, and levels of trust and confidence is presented in a simple but rigorous manner.

In the State of the Public Service research series, we seek to provide evidence-informed research and commentary on key aspects of contemporary Irish public administration. The authors of these reports bring their considerable expertise and practical knowledge to the topics selected so as to provide evidence, insights and recommendations to support future development. Our aim is that these reports will not only inform, but also challenge current thinking about how the Irish public service performs. It is intended that these short research reports will be of relevance and use not only to public servants, but also to policy makers and the wider public.

The State of Policy Evaluation in Ireland

This report is timed to coincide with the holding of the conference of the European Evaluation Society in Dublin in October 2014. This bringing together of those involved in evaluation across Europe and wider afield provides an opportunity to reflect on the state of evaluation practice in Ireland at this time.

In the State of the Public Service research series, we seek to provide evidence-informed research and commentary on key aspects of contemporary Irish public administration. The authors of these reports bring their considerable expertise and practical knowledge to the topics selected so as to provide evidence, insights and recommendations to support future development. Our aim is that these reports will not only inform, but also challenge current thinking about how the Irish public service performs. It is intended that these short research reports will be of relevance and use not only to public servants, but also to policy makers and the wider public.

We welcome any comments or feedback you might have on the report.

Public Sector Trends 2013

This report examines trends in public sector development and is the fourth in our annual series. The intention is to help inform the debate on Ireland’s public sector and public administration, and its role in Irish society.

Here we try to bring some evidence to bear on the important debate on the future shape and size of the public sector. Using data gathered from a number of sources, information on the size and cost of the public sector, the quality of public administration, efficiency and performance, and levels of trust and confidence is presented in a simple but rigorous manner.

Public Sector Trends 2012

This report examines trends in public sector development and is the third in our annual series. The intention is to help inform the debate on Ireland's public sector and public administration, and its role in Irish society. There has been much talk recently about the continued relevance of the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement and the role and efficiency of public servants. Much of the discussion takes place based on anecdote, without accessing information on how the public sector is performing and how it compares internationally.

Here we try to bring some evidence to bear on the important debate on the future shape and size of the public sector. Using data gathered from a number of sources, information on the size and cost of the public sector, the quality of public administration, efficiency and performance, and levels of trust and confidence is presented in a simple but rigorous manner.

Public Sector Trends 2011

In this annual public sector trends report Richard Boyle examines trends in public sector development over the last decade.  Using data from a variety of sources, information on the size and cost of the public sector, the quality of public administration, efficiency and performance and levels of trust is presented in a simple but rigorous manner.  Where possible, the performance of the Irish public sector is compared to that for the EU15 and EU27, as well as looking at trends over the last ten years.

• How much do top managers, middle managers and secretaries receive in compensation compared to their European counterparts?
• How big is Ireland’s public sector?
• What percentage of the workforce is employed in the public sector, and is it changing over time?
• How does the quality of Irish public administration compare to the best in Europe?
• Is the level of trust of the Irish public in public administration changing?

These and many other questions about the public sector in Ireland are answered in a major report published today by the Institute of Public Administration.  Given that the comprehensive review of expenditure being carried out by the government will alter the shape and size of the public sector, and that on November 17th the government are publishing their public service reform programme, the report aims to being some evidence to bear on the discussion about the public sector and its future size, shape and role.  The report goes beyond the stereotypes and caricatures of the public sector all too common on both sides of the debate and bring some informed analysis to the table.