strategy statement03 - 05

Follow the principle of regulation by disclosure, thus

encouraging best practice in decision taking and the facilitation of interested parties;

Performance Indicator: Application of principle of disclosure in the review of law codes under the Department’s aegis.

Ensure early publication of the Department’s Annual Report;

Performance Indicator: Report published by end April each year.

Place a strong emphasis on internal communications in all

aspects of our business;

Performance Indicator: Efficient and effective dissemination of Departmental information through the introduction of the Intranet in the Department.

Effectively implement the terms and requirements of the

Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts;

Performance indicator: Effective response to FOI and Data Protection requests within the timeframes set down in the Acts.

Work with Department of Finance to extend the Freedom of

Information Acts to additional bodies by end 2005;

Performance indicator: Extension of Acts to additional bodies by end 2005.

Implement the requirements of the Report of the Working

Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers (Mullarkey) as endorsed by Government in January 2003;

Performance indicator: Comply with the requirements of the Mullarkey report in respect of the financial control environment, administrative controls and internal audit within the deadlines set out in the report.

Human Resources Management

Continue to develop and implement a comprehensive Human

Resources Management Strategy;

Performance indicator: Draft HR Strategy completed by end 2003.

Continue to implement our Performance Management and

Development System (PMDS) to enhance staff competencies and performance;

Performance indicators: All stages of PMDS to be implemented in accordance with deadlines agreed in the Department’s annual business planning / PMDS cycle. Upward feedback to be formally integrated into PMDS by end 2005 in accordance with civil service wide agreement.

Provide targeted training and development addressing the

development and business needs of individuals and groups of staff, utilising e-learning systems where possible;

Performance indicator: Continue to allocate resources to training and development with a view to providing training on a value for money basis within the existing overall target of 4% of payroll by end 2003.