Malcolm Byrne
Question:
948. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place in her Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38806/26]
View answer
The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER:
The Department is strongly committed to progressing its Programme for Government commitments. Significant progress was made on the Department’s commitments throughout 2025 and to date in 2026.
The Department has a number of mechanisms in place to ensure delivery of the commitments in the Programme for Government.
The Department’s Statement of Strategy is informed by the commitments set out in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future. The Statement of Strategy sets out the Department’s Strategic Goals and associated actions for achieving these. The Strategy was published on 11th November 2025. Updates on progress towards achieving the goals set out in the Strategy are provided in the Department’s Annual Reports, which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year. The Annual Reports also highlight key achievements each year.
Delivery of Programme for Government commitments is an essential part of annual Business Planning arrangements within the Department. Each business unit sets out the key objectives and actions that will contribute to the delivery of the high-level goals in the Department’s Statement of Strategy reflecting Programme for Government commitments. Business units are required to set targets and identify key performance indicators to assess delivery. Regular reporting on progress is also part of the process.
The Secretary General of the Department has responsibility for overseeing delivery of relevant commitments in the Programme for Government.
The Department of An Taoiseach coordinates a central tracking arrangement through which progress on Programme for Government commitments is reviewed at a whole-of-Government level. The Department regularly provides a report to the Department of An Taoiseach on the progress on the commitments for which it has responsibility.
I hope that you find this information helpful.
