1. Why was the Task Force on the Public Service established?
The Task Force on the Public Service was established in May 2008 by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., to develop an Action Plan for the Public Service drawing on the analysis and recommendations of the OECD Review of the Public Service (launched in April 2008).
The Task Force completed its work in November 2008 when it published its report 'Transforming Public Services - Citizen Centred-Performance Focused' which sets out a challenging agenda for change in the Public Service. The Government has adopted the Task Force's Report, and has set out measures in its Policy Statement on Transforming Public Services to radically transform the Public Service.
2. Who were the members of the Task Force on the Public Services
The Taskforce on the Public Service was chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, Mr Dermot McCarthy, and its membership included four external members:
- Mark Ryan, Country Managing Director, Accenture;
- John Maloney, Group Managing Director, Glanbia PLC;
- Breege O'Donoghue, Director, Penneys Primark;
- Paul Haran, Principal, College of Business and Law, UCD
as well as the following Secretaries General;
- Public Service Management and Development (at Finance);
- Health and Children;
- Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and
- Education and Science.