Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Management Board/ Policy Forum Meeting
2 March – 12 midday
South Block – Secretary General’s Room
Agenda
1. Minutes of Meeting held on 23 February, 2015
2. Key Policy Issues/Events of the week
3. Memoranda update
4. PAC Issues
5. AOB –
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Corporate Issues – Allocation and Management of Human Resources
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,
Management Board Meeting 2 March 2015
Attendance: Secretary General, Ms. Comerford, Mr. Moloney, Mr. Quinn, Mr. O’Brien, , Ms.
Martinez, Ms. Buckley, Ms. Hanlon, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Murphy-Fagan, Mr. McGrath, Mr.
O’Leary Ms. Codd
Apologies: Mr. Nolan, Dr Quinn, Mr. Beausang
1. Minutes of meeting dated 23 February 2015 – The minutes were agreed.
2. Key Policy Issues/ Events for the Week – The Minister’s Diary, Government Agenda,
Dail and Seanad schedules for the week were discussed. The Government Meeting will
take place on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday afternoon Minister Howlin will address an
Industry Consultation on Open Data in association with Fujitsu. On Tuesday evening
the Minister with officials will attend a Cabinet Committee on Construction 2020,
Housing, Planning and Mortgage Arrears. On Wednesday the Minister will take
amendments in the Dáil on the Regulation of Lobbying Bill. The annual Progress Report
on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 will be published on Wednesday. On
Thursday, Secretary General Watt is scheduled to appear before the Public Accounts
Committee at 12 noon. The EMC will meet later in the week. On Friday, Minister
Howlin will attend the official opening of Creagh Post Primary College, in Gorey.
Ms Buckley provided an update for the Remuneration, Industrial Relations and Pensions
Division including the preparations for the forthcoming pay talks and industrial relations
issues arising in the prison service and with secondary school teachers.
Mr McGrath updated the Board in respect of the Office of Government Chief Information
Office including the work in progress on the implementation of the Public Service ICT
Strategy.
Ms Hanlon updated the Board for the Expenditure Policy Evaluation and Management
Division including the Capital Review, the Capital Carryover Order and the Ireland Strategic
Investment Fund Strategy.
Mr Moloney provided an update for the Labour Market and Enterprise Policy Division
including the Cabinet Committee on Health and the Department of Social Protection
delegated sanction.
Mr Quinn updated the Board on the Key issues arising this week in the Office of
Government Procurement including updates on the Procurement Expenditure Report, the
requirement to change wording of the Regulation from Remedies Directive and the
preparations for the Secretary General’s forthcoming appearance at the Public Accounts
Committee.
Ms Coleman updated the Board on the Key issues arising this week in the Expenditure
Management, EU Policy and Audit Division including updates on the Valuation
Amendment Bill 2012 which is at Committee Stage in Dáil on the Wednesday, the
Charges Order and VFM for election events and the Bytel Project under 2000-2006
INTERREG Operational Programme.
Ms Murphy-Fagan provided an update on the key issues arising this week in the NSSO
including status updates on PeoplePoint, PSSC and the Financial Management Shared
Service Project.
Action – Mr McGrath to provide a detailed update on the implementation of the ICT
Strategy in early April.
3. Memoranda update - The List of Memos was discussed by the Board.
4. PAC Issues – Update on any live issues arising in the various divisions are to be forwarded
to Ms Codd in advance of Thursday’s meeting.
5. AOB
-
Ms Codd to include Improving DPER’s engagement with the Department of Health
on the agenda for a future Management Board Policy Forum.
-
Subscription access to Irish Times website – Mr. Quinn is exploring the options
available and will revert to the Management Board in due course.
Next meeting – Monday 2 March 2015 at 12 midday.