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29 June 2004

MINISTER PUTS QUALITY OF SERVICE FIRST

Ian Pearson MP, Minister responsible for the Review of Public Administration (RPA), today said that delivering high quality public services was top priority in the programme of reform. He emphasised that in order to achieve this, the public sector must put the needs of the people of Northern Ireland first.

His comments were contained in a speech, which he delivered at the ‘The Future of Public Administration in Northern Ireland’ conference, in the Stormont Hotel, today. The Minister addressed delegates from the public, business and voluntary and community sectors, and set out the developing model of future public administration.

Ian Pearson said: "The ability to deliver high quality public services must be the top priority for any new system of public administration in Northern Ireland. The Review of Public Administration is about finding new ways of adding value to the lives of the people of Northern Ireland, particularly those who are most vulnerable in our society."

He added: "I want to remove waste and reduce bureaucracy and to redirect the resources released into front line services, but I am sensitive that the scale of these reforms can cause much anxiety to people working right across the public sector.

"Over the coming months, I want to build on the constructive dialogue already begun with the Northern Ireland Congress of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, as key stakeholders in this major reform and to work with them in taking the Review forward.

"I am also consulting on an on-going basis with the main political parties, with a view to achieving a broad political consensus for a future model of public administration. It is my firm hope that devolution will be restored at the earliest possible date.

"The Review of Public Administration is the most significant change programme to be undertaken in Northern Ireland in the last 30 years. It will require leadership, vision and significant commitment over the coming years. I am, however, convinced that if we put the needs of people first in all that we plan to do, then we will build a system of public administration which will stand the test of time, for many years to come."

NOTES TO EDITORS:
  1. The consultation on the Review of Public Administration ended on the 27 February, with over 170 responses received. The key messages from the consultation were:

    1. A significant reduction in the numbers of public bodies, embracing Health, Education, Executive agencies and Non Departmental Public bodies;
    2. A reduction in the number of Councils, from 26 to less than 10, with more powers and boundaries fully aligned with other service providers;
    3. Robust governance arrangements with statutory checks and balances, to ensure transparent decision-making, fairness and the protection of minority interests; and
    4. Arrangements at local level to ensure maintenance of local identity and community input to decision-making.

  2. Building on these key elements, a two-tier model of administration is developing, comprising:

    1. At the regional tier will be the Devolved Government, Government departments and regional services, which would be responsible for policy development, strategic planning, setting standards of service delivery and monitoring that delivery.
    2. Most service delivery will be at the sub-regional tier, by fewer bodies. Services would be delivered by larger, stronger councils, by new health bodies and by sub-regional offices of regional service providers.
    3. Services would be delivered and administered to people by organisations working together, within a common boundary, to plan and develop their services with a common purpose and aims (community planning). The sub-regional boundary would be based on the larger councils with other services, for example, health, education, housing and policing, operating within precisely the same geographical area.
    4. Community, voluntary and private sectors will have an important role to play in contributing to community planning and the future provision of services.
    5. The diversity and complexity of modern service delivery means that no one size will fit all.

  3. Responses to the Review of Public Administration are published, along with a summary of the key themes, are published on the RPA website: www.rpani.gov.uk

  4. For further information, please contact Nicola Steele, OFMDFM Press Office on Tel: 028 9052 2260.

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