Public sector morass - We need a minister for reform
Though not on the scale of the cancer testing or MRSA scandals, the admission by the Health Service Executive that it failed to answer a written parliamentary question about children’s psychiatric assessments for more than 18 months can only deepen disquiet about how the organisation sees its role in society.
This disquiet is somewhat but not sufficiently eased by the “fulsome” apology from the executive.
The aloofness represented by the delay is entirely inappropriate for an organisation funded by taxpayers for the benefit of all members of society.
It highlights once again a recurring theme in the relationship between the HSE and the rest of society. Although it is removed from those traditionally responsible for health services, it does not mean the organisation is beyond the remit of elected authority.
It is difficult enough to accept the minister’s frequent insistence that the HSE, and not her good self, is responsible for health matters.
However, it is entirely unacceptable that the HSE stone-walls — intentionally or otherwise — a public representative who raises entirely valid issues.
Last year, almost 60% of the 5,991 parliamentary questions directed to Ms Harney were referred to the HSE. However, she has acknowledged that the HSE record on answering these questions “falls far short of what is needed”.
In the Dáil last Wednesday Minister of State for Trade and Commerce John McGuinness spoke of “the elephant in the room; the old order that has to change”.
“We and the trade unions are requiring public service personnel to provide services to a modern economy within a system and a culture that are completely out of date and inefficient,” he continued.
His frustration is shared by most anyone who takes an interest in public affairs. Indeed, the Taoiseach has admitted that he is frustrated by the length of time it takes to get things done through the public service.
This morass at the very centre of our affairs, which, as Mr McGuinness pointed out, frustrates many of those trapped in it as much as those dependent on it, must be confronted. It is not exaggerating to say that the worst aspects of public-sector culture do as much to engender cynicism among the public as the most far-fetched explanations offered to the tribunals sitting at Dublin Castle.
The time has come to appoint a minister whose sole responsibility would be public sector reform.
It seems the monster is incapable of mending its ways through its own initiatives and that those who depend on our public services — and very, very many state employees — deserve a chance to benefit from a modern, effective, streamlined organisations willing and able to give the best service possible.
Inevitably, such a ministry would provoke criticisms, suggesting that creating another layer of bureaucracy to confront bureaucracy is not the answer. However, by its very existence and by its performance such a department could re-energise and streamline the services so central to the wellbeing of our society. What a great challenge — but what a payoff; a win-win situation for everyone.
Why should we settle for less?
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