Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
851. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the key performance indicators currently in use to assess public service reform programmes; the baseline targets set under each indicator; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55299/26]
View answerMy Department drives reform using its role and functions to enhance governance, build capacity and deliver effectively, working with the full range of public service bodies to build a more unified and agile public service. Progress in delivering on public service reform programmes is assessed centrally, on a regular basis, in line with established monitoring and evaluation processes. All Departments are responsible for assessing public service reform programmes within their remits.
Better Public Services is the government’s overarching public service transformation strategy to 2030 to deliver for the public and build trust. The vision of the strategy is to deliver inclusive, high quality and integrated public services that meet the needs and improves the lives of the people of Ireland. The pillars of the strategy are; digital and innovation at scale; workforce and organisation of the future, and; evidence-informed policy and services designed for and with our public. The recent Better Public Services Transformation Showcase 2025-2026 publication, is available on gov.ie and highlights the work taking place across the public service to drive public service transformation. The Showcase looks back at transformation achievements delivered in 2025 and sets out 2026 transformation priorities. It covers Better Public Services flagship programmes which are led by my Department and a snapshot of some of the many transformation projects happening across the wider public service.
Individual government policies and programmes lay out targets, indicators and approaches to monitoring and evaluation, towards delivery. For example the Digital Public Services Plan is the Government's roadmap for delivering seamless, inclusive and user-centred public services through digital transformation. It sets targets that by 2030, 100% of key public services will be available online; and, 90% of applicable services will be consumed digitally. Progress towards these targets is tracked regularly.
As part of normal budgetary processes, each year government departments set out public service performance and equality targets for the forthcoming year in the Revised Estimated Volume for the Public Services. This includes output metrics directly related to each Strategic Programme’s policies and programmes as well as outcome metrics that describe progress in relation to policy goals or objectives. The Public Service Performance Report, published by my Department, provides an annual review of the delivery of public services against commitments. The Report provides a clear and accessible picture of how public funds have been allocated, how those funds have been used and the impact of this on public spending. All of the Performance Reports are published on my Department’s website
Rankings compiled by organisations nationally and internationally such as CSO, OECD and the European Commission also provide information on performance, benchmarking and inform the identification of areas of strength and where there is a need for improved productivity and performance across the public service.
