Key performance indicators used in the benchmarking process to set public servants' pay are to be reviewed, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced yesterday. Tim O'Brien reports.
The three-point review announced by the Taoiseach will cover the performance of individual civil servants, whole departments and agencies, and will also introduce a new "leadership initiative" aimed at career development for top performers.
Opening the annual conference of the Institute of Public Administration yesterday, Mr Ahern reminded delegates that "benchmarking does not apply to pay only" but was based on civil servants making informed decisions - even where those decisions involved a certain element of risk, as typified in the private sector.
However, he said he wanted to review the current "performance indicators" which are used in the benchmarking process, to ensure that they are "not only appropriate and useful, but that they are compatible across departments and agencies".
In relation to the performance of departments and agencies Mr Ahern said "we need to be in a position to judge the performance of the system as a whole".
He said he was impressed by models which ranked our services and systems against best practice internationally and that he would be asking for an external review of the structures, capacities, procedures and leadership of departments and agencies "so that problem areas are identified and support can be given for future improvement".
He also wanted to see the introduction of a new "leadership initiative" for the public service involving the development of skills and competencies in the traditional way but also offering career development and succession planning.
"We should ensure that we have the right people in the right places at the right time to serve the needs of our citizens . . . I believe that we need to develop and support those who are in key areas of responsibility and leadership, bringing together the best traditions and development opportunities of all parts of the public service. One of the benefits of this approach would be to encourage greater cooperation and mobility across the different branches of the public service."
He felt that if a new national partnership agreement was ratified by employers, Government and unions, it was likely to "contain a significant agenda for change for the public service".
This would see a revitalisation of the service through flexibility of work practices and the integration of services, with less time and energy spent on "turf wars".