Strategy Statement 2003-2005

Introduction

The purpose of this Statement of Strategy is to provide clarity and focus for the Department's activities in the three years up to end 2005. Our statement begins with an analysis of the environmental factors facing us. It reflects the tremendous progress made in recent years in growing employment and output, and raising living standards in the process. However, it also recognises the challenges we face as we seek to mark out a path towards sustainable growth in a difficult and uncertain global environment.

Based on this analysis, we then set out the mission and high level goals that will give us direction in the coming period. Our mission focuses on the key outcomes we aim to achieve - namely, growth in competitiveness and quality employment. It also contains a strong service ethos reflecting the fact that the fundamental mission of the Department is to serve Government, the Oireachtas and the citizen.

Our goals, strategic actions and associated performance indicators are grouped around five pillars which reflect the key strategic business functions of the Department: enterprise and innovation, quality work and learning, better regulation, customer service, and the European Union. As a direct outcome of the strategy process, we have restructured our operations to better align with our strategic goals and enhance our ability to deliver them.

Our strategy reflects the fact that the Department does not stand alone. Fulfilment of our mission is critically dependent on our relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, and on our ability to work collaboratively to achieve broader political and societal aims. Deepening our relationships with stakeholders and colleagues is both a challenge and an opportunity for every member of staff in the Department.

As our environmental analysis indicates, the past decade has seen a transformation in Ireland's enterprise and employment. And while there are challenges ahead, there are also hugely exciting opportunities, building on what has been achieved to date: opportunities to turn investments in technology and innovation into new business sectors, to grow the skills those businesses will depend on, to enhance working conditions, to make Ireland a leader in quality of regulation, and to grow our influence within an expanding European Union.

We hope that this statement of strategy will help us to seize those opportunities, especially in terms of high quality employment.