Annual Report 1998

Link to full Annual Report (1138kb)

Introduction

1998 was the first year of the Department's Statement of Strategy 1998 - 2000. This is our first annual report outlining progress made on the implementation of the Strategy Statement, as required under the Public Service Management Act, 1997. The format of the annual report is similar to that in the Strategy Statement and the focus is on key achievements made during the year. It is worth noting that many of the bodies and offices associated with the Department produce their own separate annual reports

The key challenge for the Department is to continue to adapt successfully to the constantly changing environment which faces us in terms fo the demands of Government and our wider client base. We will continue to work ourselves and with other Government Departments and State Bodies to implement the modernisation programme which is transforming the Civil Service and preparing it for the challenges of the twenty first century.

My thanks to the management and staff of the Department for their continuing commitment to achieving our corporate goals. I recognise the vital role our staff have played, working in partnership with management, in securing the achievements of 1998. Significant progress was made in the further development of this partnership by the establishment of a new Partnership Committee involving mangement, unions and staff. This provides a mechanism in which key issues affecting the way we do our business can be progressed

We have put increased emphasis on customer service issues in the last year with the setting up of a new Information and Communications Unit to streamline a frontline service on all the Department's activities to our customers and to further develop our website and to drive the implementation of our Customer Service Plan. We will continue to look for ways to improve our service to our customers.

Paul Haran

Secretary General