A PLAN to modernise the public service and make it a "leaner, more efficient and effective operation" has been launched by the Progressive Democrats.
The reform proposals, unveiled yesterday by the party's spokesman on the public service, Senator John Dardis, include rewards for excellence and commitment. Efficiency and effectiveness cannot be achieved without "major changes" in the way government business is done, according to Mr Dardis.
His party proposes the establishment of a State services board to oversee the strategic management of the entire public service which will cost £12 billion in 1996. This body would monitor performance, make top level appointments and fix targets and standards.
"As part of this process, the main administrative functions of civil service departments will be devolved to executive agencies.
Civil service units which could be converted to agency status include the Prison Service, the Social Welfare Services Office and the Companies Office," Mr Dardis said.
The Progressive Democrats suggest the creation of 10 executive agencies which could take over up to 60 per cent of civil service functions from the "core departments", allowing them to concentrate on policy formulation and the monitoring of public expenditure.
The party strongly challenges the idea that increased public spending is the answer to all social and economic ills, but does not advocate a pay freeze or a blanket ban on recruitment. The past five years, have seen a 65 per cent increase in health spending a 50 per cent rise in prison spending and a 40 per cent hike in Garda spending. However, major problems persisted in all these areas, the document says.
"The rate of growth in public spending must be moderated if the Irish economy is to remain competitive. With regard to pay costs, the objective must be to the public service pay bill not the pay of individual public servants," Mr Dardis added.
Meanwhile, public servants would receive substantial increases in take home pay as a result of a major overhaul of the personal tax system. In addition, they would have opportunities to increase their earnings through improved productivity and performance related pay.
Structural management problems also exist at the top of the civil service, the party says. Heads of government departments `incongruously titled secretaries' are severely circumscribed in their ability to manage, since they cannot decide their own staffing levels and cannot set salaries for their own staff which is done by the Department of Finance.
The report suggests greater autonomy for "departmental chief executives", with each assigned an administrative and programme budget to run a department.
Women are also seriously under represented in the public service at top management level and initiatives are required to ensure they achieve their full potential.
"It is time now that we started thinking in terms of quality rather than quantity . .. We must strive for a culture of excellence in all areas of our public service," Mr Dardis added.
The State should not be involved in any activity that community effort or private enterprise could implement more effectively, the policy says.