Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
562. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the systems in place to agree performance metrics of Chief Executives of agencies within the aegis of his Department; the way in which these are measured; the person or body that carries out the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11957/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies places responsibility for managing and supervising Chief Executive performance with the relevant State body Board. Each agency is the legal employer of its staff and is responsible for the terms and conditions outlined in its contracts with staff. The Code of Practice states that the Board is “collectively responsible for leading and directing the State body’s activities” and “the Board is responsible for holding the CEO and senior management to account for the effective performance of their responsibilities”. Each of the agencies conduct regular reviews of Board Effectiveness, which are refenced in their annual reports.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation provides templates for CEO contracts and Conditions of Service, and all CEO contracts must be sent to DPEIPSRD for approval prior to circulation to, and signature from, the candidate.
While my Department does not appraise Chief Executive performance directly, it evaluates whether the agencies meet the performance commitments in the Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements (OPDAs) which are in place with each agency. Under the separation of roles, my Department sets the framework for performance (OPDA), while the Board holds the organisation and management to account. To monitor agency performance, my Department has regular engagement at official level with the agencies including quarterly liaison meetings with each agency where performance and targets are discussed as standing items, an annual agency business plan meeting with my Department’s Management Board, bi-annual meetings between the agency Chief Executives and the Management Board and an annual meeting between the agency Chairs and relevant Minister.
