Education: Reforming plans
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011The Programme for Government aims to build a ‘knowledge society’ thus reversing the decline in educational standards. eolas sums up the Government’s main plans for reform and the progress to date. Modernisation Across the board, ICT will be integrated into education policy. This includes the merger of the National Centre for Technology in Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (legislation is needed), a new plan to develop ICT in teaching, learning and assessment, prioritising investment in broadband development, and pooling ICT procurement. As part of...[full story]
Reform: Public sector
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011There is a need for more leadership on public sector reform according to attendees at an eolas event on the subject. Meadhbh Monahan reports. A gathering of officials from central and local government, the wider public sector, the unions and private sector bodies has agreed that public sector reform is essential in aiding economic recovery. “People are up for reform” of the public sector, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Secretary-General Robert Watt told eolas. However, there is a need for more “buy-in” from senior management. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform...[full story]
Justice: Innovation and accountability – G4S
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011With the reform of the public sector driven by the EU-IMF bailout, outsourcing is now very much on the Government’s agenda. eolas talks to G4S’s Niall Feely about the potential for outsourcing in the justice system and how it can not only reduce cost but deliver innovation in service delivery. There are now over 4,500 people within the justice system which is under pressure because of a number of issues. Increasing prisoner numbers and the early release scheme are causing public concern and these pressures look set to continue. In addition, the quality of the prison estate has been...[full story]
Justice: DPP
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011After 12 years as Director of Public Prosecutions, James Hamilton retired this month. Before leaving he talked to Stephen Dineen about changes to the criminal justice system. James Hamilton was only the second Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) since the office was established in 1974. As the man responsible for bring criminal prosecutions to trial, he has seen significant changes to the DPP’s role and the criminal justice system. Among these has been the nature of crime and the type of cases which have crossed his desk. “I know that there’s a general view that, for example,...[full story]
Justice: A changing Garda
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011eolas reviews progress on modernising Garda procedures and assesses the challenges facing the force amid the economic crisis. Despite the pressures of staff cuts, smaller budgets and rising crime (in some but not all areas), An Garda Sióchána is making good progress in streamlining its work. Under the National Recovery Plan, Garda numbers will fall from 14,500 to 13,000 over 2011-2014. The initial target of 13,500 gardaí for the end of this year is unrealistic (the status quo is around 14,100) but the Justice Minister considers 13,000 sufficient to meet all challenges facing the Garda....[full story]
Justice: Prisons – the way forward
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011eolas examines the State’s prison system and plans for new infrastructure. Overcrowding, drug use, insufficient recreation or workshops and poor hygiene have consistently been cited as the main problems with the prison system. The Irish Prison Service has said its most pressing issue is the “ever-increasing” number of prisoners and the high number of prisoners on temporary release, due to lack of spaces (see table). The daily average number of prisoners has increased from 2,422 in 1997 to 4,290 in 2010. There were 4,229 prisoners in custody on 10 October 2011, with 765 (18 per...[full story]
Environment: A new direction in water
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011Water reform will help Ireland meet its EU targets and address the dispersed nature of services, Ivan Grimes told delegates at the Environment Ireland conference. Meadhbh Monahan reports. Water services and water quality need a “joined up approach” because the Department of the Environment has traditionally viewed them as separate. It must be remembered that water service delivery is about regulating “the quantity of water taken from the environment and the quality of the water returned to the environment,” said Ivan Grimes, Principal Officer in water services policy. Addressing...[full story]
Environment: John McCarthy – European priorities
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011John McCarthy discusses the environmental issues likely to impact on Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013 and other key environmental policy priorities with Owen McQuade. Compliance in transposing and implementing European environmental law has seen a step change over the past two years. The level of infringements gives a “barometer of performance in this area”, according to John McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government’s Environment Division. In the two years to the end of 2011 the number of outstanding...[full story]
Environment: Reviewing the EPA
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011The first review of the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges its work and finds some room for improvement. The Environmental Protection Agency’s structure is “broadly fit for purpose” but changes to the law could enhance its ability, according to a major external review. It was commissioned by then Environment Minister John Gormley in February 2010 and published in May 2011. Cutting back on the agency’s resources would be “false economy” given the longer term impact on biodiversity and human health, and the requirements of EU law. Enforcement was successful but could...[full story]
State Assets: Making industrial policy key
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011A state holding company would help better governance of the state companies and “unlock” billions through the sale of shares, Paul Sweeney tells Meadhbh Monahan. Fine Gael’s New Era concept is a more preferable option than privatisation, according to ICTU’s Chief Economist Paul Sweeney. In theory, a state holding company would hold the shares, which are currently held by the Department of Finance. Therefore, line departments would manage the companies e.g. CIE in transport and ESB in energy. This would free up “incompetent” civil servants “who know nothing about the commercial...[full story]
