Annual Report 2001

Link to full Annual Report (953kb)

Introduction

In 2001 the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment worked to strengthen employment, competitiveness and social inclusion in Ireland.

This annual report describes our achievements in 2001. Its publication is an important aspect of the modernisation process in the public service through the Strategic Management Initiative. Our Department is strongly committed to advancing the mission of delivering better government. We aim to provide high quality services to our internal and external customers, to achieve value for money and to develop our human resources to anticipate and respond to the challenges facing us. We strive to do these things in a way that is open and accountable to both the Oireachtas and the citizen.

Our ability to deliver is crucially dependent on the knowledge, skills and competencies of all staff members in the Department. In 2001 we completed the roll out of our performance management and development system. The system provides the platform for a more strategic approach to staff development, based on a clear understanding of each staff member's role and relationship to the Department's specific business goals. In parallel with performance management, we strengthened our business planning process, placing greater emphasis on review and evaluation.

We worked to deepen the culture of partnership in the Department. I would like to particularly acknowledge the contribution of staff to the partnership committee and its sub groups in championing and communicating the change process. We sought to mirror internal openness with greater transparency and accessibility for our external customers. In 2001 we responded to a very significant increase in requests for information across all aspects of the Department's business, with growth in employment rights queries particularly in evidence.

The increased use of the Department's website was also notable, reflecting the growing importance of the internet in our interaction with the citizen. With that in mind we redesigned our website to facilitate access by people with disabilities. We also substantially advanced our strategy to e-enable the Department to deliver its services electronically.

As the Tánaiste's introduction indicates, our efforts in improving efficiency and effectiveness were reflected positively in the policy outcomes we achieved. We advanced the regulatory reform agenda in areas such as company law, prudential supervision and the promotion of free and fair competition. We also worked to strengthen consumer input to policy decisions through the establishment of the Consumer Advisory Council.

In the employment and training area we substantively progressed the agenda established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. This included support for enterprises under the Social Economy Programme and the drive to help people with disabilities access more and better jobs under initiatives such as the Supported Employment Programme. We also continued our work to promote employment rights through regulation, awareness raising and the work of the labour inspectorate.

In the area of industrial development, 2001 was somewhat volatile. Foreign direct investment, in particular, suffered from the effects of the global downturn, exacerbated by the tragic events of September the eleventh. This volatility underscores the need to continually upgrade Ireland's competitiveness and to invest now in the factors which will provide for long term growth in business and living standards. The emphasis we placed on promoting research and development, enhancing access to finance for innovative business and working to meet skills needs reflect our efforts to meet this challenge.

The first year of the new millennium proved a challenging one for Ireland, both in responding to the legacy of our outstanding growth performance during the previous decade, while also facing up to less positive trading conditions worldwide. However, these challenges only served to reinforce the need for innovation, adaptability and a rigorous pursuit of best practice standards in the delivery of service. I am confident that this annual report reflects the willingness of our Department to embrace change as a positive force and to harness it for growth, prosperityand inclusiveness.

Paul Haran

Secretary General