Chambers Ireland calls for civil service overhaul

The civil service should be radically reformed as part of the Government’s National Development Plan, a leading business body said today.

Chambers Ireland said overhauling the sector would help ensure the efficiency needed to deliver the ambitious project.

In a submission on the National Development Plan, Chambers chief executive John Dunne said its success would depend on the professionalism and skills base of public servants.

“New systems must be established which better facilitate the recruitment of specialist skills in areas such as statistical analysis, project management, IT etc,” he said.

“To deliver on the NDP 2007-2013, on top of key institutional requirements such as the enactment of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill, we must also secure open recruitment to all levels within the public service.

“Specialist posts requiring open recruitment from the private sector and identified as areas of skills shortage within the public sector should be filled immediately.”

Chambers said there was a lack of statistics to drive public policy due to the under-resourcing of the Central Statistics Office.

The submission also included recommendations on commitments made under Transport 21 and the need to strengthen statistics to better inform planning decisions embracing health, transport, education, and business.

It also offered suggestions on delivering next generation infrastructure for transport and digital requirements.

Chambers also said the plan should help provide energy security.