3 October 2006

PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM MEANS BETTER SERVICES FOR CITIZENS - HANSON

Public sector reform can help transform Northern Ireland into a world class place that can compete globally, Minister David Hanson has said.

The Minister was speaking at a conference "Shaping the Future of Public Services in Northern Ireland", where he gave the keynote address.

He said: "The reform of the public sector in Northern has the potential to radically change the way services are delivered to citizens. The disproportionately large public sector is unsustainable in the long term and we need to cut back on excessive bureaucracy and redirect our efforts to improving front line services.

"The Review of Public Administration has the potential for substantial cash savings which we will recycle to the classrooms and operating rooms. The RPA will touch on all parts of the public sector, including local government, and also how we provide health and education services to the people.

"As a result of the transfer of some functions through the RPA, a number of departments may be unsustainable in their current form. We will need to look at the optimum number and structure of departments to ensure we achieve a result that provides effective and efficient services to the public.

"In addition, the civil service has a significant programme of reform underway to ensure it is fit for purpose. Reforms, such as the development of shared service centres for HR and personnel functions, for processing financial transactions and for staff training. These new centres will achieve real savings by concentrating expertise and cutting back on processes replicated in several locations."

Concluding, the minister said: "We are laying the foundations on which we can transform Northern Ireland into the world class place it deserves to be, with a modern world class economy that can compete on the world stage."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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