The Minister for Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., has today (Wednesday, 13 September) published the Report of the Independent Review Panel on Senior Public Service Recruitment and Pay Processes that examined the grading levels of two Secretary General posts. The Report is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0c3ba-report-on-the-grading-of-secretary-general-posts/
Following the completion of their previous Report, which examined senior public service recruitment and pay determination processes, and its publication on 27 June 2023, Government decided to request that the Independent Review Panel remain in place to undertake a further review. This review examined the grading of the Secretary General posts in the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Housing, Local Government & Heritage within the existing three tier Secretary General grading structure.
This review was completed and submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on 28 August 2023. Minister Donohoe commented:
“I note the Report of the Review Panel, which I have published today, and its important recommendations. I have today informed my colleagues at Cabinet of my intention to implement the recommendations arising from this independent assessment, namely that:
- the Secretary General post in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth be set at Secretary General level Grade II; and
- the Secretary General post in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage be set at Secretary General level Grade I.
“I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Independent Review Panel, Donal de Buitléir, as well as the other members, for agreeing to undertake this additional assessment following their previous Report. These changes will be effective from the date of appointment of the current Secretaries General to these posts.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Previous Report of this Independent Review Panel
Following Government approval on Tuesday 29th March, 2022, the Independent Review Panel was established to conduct a review of the current recruitment and pay determination processes in place for Senior Public Service posts, in particular arrangements in the Civil Service.
The objective of the Panel was to review the appointment process of senior level recruitment, including all Secretaries General of Government Departments, and pay determination issues to ensure that guidelines are open and transparent.
The review considered the following areas:
- Current Recruitment Process – independently assess the current recruitment process in place for Senior Public Service posts, in particular in the Civil Service, to provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies to improve processes and outcomes.
- Process of determining pay and related terms and conditions for Senior Public Service appointments – review the process for determining terms and conditions for senior posts.
- Arrangements for Secretaries General at end of term – examine the retirement and severance terms provided under current Government policy.
The following were appointed as members of the Panel:
- Chairperson – Dr. Donal de Buitléir – Current Member of The Policy Authority (since March 2021) and former Chairperson of the Low Pay Commission (2015 to 2021).
- Member – Jenny Smyth – Independent Consultant and Former Senior Client Partner, Korn Ferry plc, Global Consultancy.
- Member – Bryan Andrews – Former Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service from 2004 to 2012. Managing Director of BA and Associates, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Specialists.
On the basis of their review, the Panel made a range of findings and 38 recommendations. The full Report of the Panel is available on the gov.ie website at:
On 27 June 2023 Government, following agreement at Cabinet, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform requested the Independent Review Panel remain in place to undertake a review of the grading of the Secretary General posts in the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Housing, Local Government & Heritage within the existing structure. This Report was submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on 28 August 2023 and is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0c3ba-report-on-the-grading-of-secretary-general-posts/