Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement)
Integrated Progress Report for Departments and their Agencies
Integrated Progress Report on Action Plan for Forensic Science Laboratory
TO BE RETURNED NO LATER THAN 2nd May 2012
1. Summary of Main Progress Achieved in the 12 Month Period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012
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Highlighted Item 1

Highlighted Item 2
Reduction
in turnaround
 Highlighted
Item 3 time in cases. 76% of all cases now reported in less than 30 days from receipt and 86% of Drug cases
reported in less than 30 days of receipt. Improvement in service noted by main customer ( An Garda Siochana)
 Highlighted Item 4
Introduction of presumptive drug testing has led to a reduction in drug intake and allowed redeployment of staff from drugs
 to
…..DNA
area
Significant progress in the preparation for an interim DNA database. Still awaiting legislation to proceed.
Improved technology in DNA processing in terms of the introduction of new sampling kits, new extraction technology and new
processing capability.
Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) Integrated Progress Report
2.
Detailed Progress Update for the 12-months – 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012
1. Better human resource management: To include, for example, actions around the reduction of staff numbers; the redeployment of staff to
areas of greatest need; the restructuring/reconfiguration of service delivery; changes to work practices; revisions in attendance arrangements;
absence management; performance management etc.
Terms of the
Public Service
Agreement
2010 – 2014
4.4
4.4
Action
Co-operate with critical review of laboratory as
outlined in governments Public Service Reform Plan
of 17th November
Review service on annual basis and redeploy staff to
service areas where customer need is greatest,
providing training where necessary.
Target Date as per
Current Action
Plan
June 2012
Awaiting review
2012-2014
Four staff members transferred from Drugs area
to DNA area
June 2012
Awaiting outcome of review of process
improvement analysis
2012-2014
PMDS complete for all staff in 2011. RPF for
2012 complete. Recent re-examination by
management of performance rating guidelines
and their application in the laboratory .
Review complete Some adjustments to flextime
system introduced. Easier monitoring of flextime
now in place
4.12
Introduce systems whereby a more flexible
arrangement can be used to issue reports/ certificates
of analysis. Specifically, the introduction (where
appropriate) of analyst/senior analysts issuing
reports/certificates of analysis
Continue to implement PMDS and monitor the
performance across the laboratory. Use goal clarity to
define and monitor expected performance
4.4
Review working arrangements i.e. hours of
duty/attendance with a view to evaluating the effect on
service delivery of the present flexitime arrangements
Review complete
by June 2011
Better management of sick leave, together with the
uniform application of an enhanced attendance
management policy.
January 2011 and
ongoing
4.4
4.4
Current Position
Sick leave monitored by line managers.
Laboratory sick leave average calculated as 4.6
days per person, excluding week-ends.
2. Better Business Processes: To include, for example actions to increase efficiency and productivity; rationalise core structures, business
processes, accommodation requirements etc; establish shared service approaches, establish cross-functional teams/ new work structures,
optimise the potential of new technology to streamline operations and generate efficiencies etc.
Terms of the
Public
Service
Agreement
2010 - 2014
4.4
4.15
Action
Introduction of new processes which will lead to
increased efficiencies especially in the area of volume
cases such as DNA and Drugs
Procurement improvement by using the HSE
procurement framework.
4.13
4.13
Target Date as
per Current
Action Plan
January 2011
and ongoing
New process in place in volume Drugs and DNA
with resultant increased output and decreased
turnaround time
2012-2014
Purchasing of consumables now done using the
framework (if appropriate)
June 2012
Reduce cost of consumables by monitoring /reducing
number of tests in DNA. This will be achieved by
reviewing current usage and by establishing a cost
per test.
Train groups in Business Process Improvement
(Lean/Six Sigma) in line with governments Public
Service Reform Plan of 17th November and in
preparation for the Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS).
Current Position
Cost of test established and new strategy in place
resulting in a reduced number of tests per case.
This allows more cases to be processed for same
cost.1450 cases in 2010, 1550 cases in 2011 and
1650 cases predicted in 2012
September 2012 Two groups of staff trained by Stratigos in BPI.
Currently mapping process and analysing data.
3. Delivering for the Citizen: To include, for example, actions to enhance service delivery to the public, including changes to the technology
used, more online services, service integration, efforts to reduce information burdens on citizens through better data management/sharing of
data, including around identity etc
Terms of the
Public
Service
Agreement
2010 - 2014
Action
Target Date as
per Current
Action Plan
Current Position
Introduce a Laboratory Information Management System
(LIMS). This will streamline work processes from case
intake through reporting to case return.
2011-2012
Contract for LIMS signed. Project team in place.
Initial training due in May
Cooperation with AGS in the implementation of
presumptive testing
January 2011
and ongoing
2012/2013
4.4
Have the necessary technology (robots/ LIMS.) and
processes in place to operate an interim National DNA
database as soon as the legislation is passed.
Presumptive testing now established in AGS.
Approximately 70% reduction in smaller drug
cases submitted to the laboratory.
Validation of DNA robots in progress.
New area in laboratory refurbished and in use in
April 2012.New reference kits in place. New
extraction chemistry progressed. Ongoing
validation of new technology
4.4
Investigate more efficient methods of interaction with the Throughout the
legal system, proof of continuity, court attendance
duration of the
agreement
4.13
4.4
4.4
4.13
4.13
Reduce turnaround time in all cases reported by the
labatory.80% of all cases reported within 30 days of
receipt
Implement fully the evaluative approach in appropriate
casework based on logic, balance, robustness and
transparency
Improve laboratory website by including
information/guidance/instructional videos to customer. In
addition to include secure area to facilitate Gardai to
complete forms prior to arrival in laboratory
Introduce e-mailed reports. This will deliver reports in a
faster way and will cut down on paper use. Initially a
pilot system will take place followed by wider
consultation
December 2012
Some discussions held with DPP
76% of cases reported within 30 days of receipt
as of April 2012
Evaluative approach more advanced in some
areas compared to others.
New website in place. Secure link agreed with
AGS but not yet established.
Pilot complete
by June 2012
Pilot project with North East region planned.
Awaiting final arrangements with AGS in the
region