Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
794. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [11962/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraState bodies under the aegis of my Department are independent in the performance of their functions and my Department does not have a direct role in managing the performance of chief executives.
It is generally a condition of a chief executive's contract of employment that their employment requires performance consistent with the high standards expected of senior members of State bodies. In the case of bodies where a governance Board structure is in place, the chief executive's performance is subject to regular appraisal and review by the Board. In the case of bodies where a governance Board is not in place other arrangements apply, for example, regular meetings between the chief executive and a senior official from the Department to appraise performance and progress with the organisation's identified targets and objectives.
In accordance with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, my Department has both an oversight agreement and a performance delivery agreement in place with each body under its aegis. The agreements are signed by a senior official of the Department and the chief executive of the State body, and are reviewed and updated as required on an annual basis.
The oversight agreement clearly defines the terms of the relationship between my Department and the State body, and their respective roles and responsibilities.
The performance delivery agreement is a performance contract between my Department and the State body in which an agreed level of performance is formalised. It defines high level goals and objectives for the body, and specifies targets for key outputs and outcomes that are to be achieved by the body on an annual and multi-annual basis. Meetings to review performance under the agreement are held regularly between senior officials of my Department and the State body.
