Governance

Update: On 29 June 2021, the government agreed to re-affirm and revise the existing framework of governance procedures applying to Commercial Semi State Bodies (CSSBs) in relation to specific superannuation and remuneration proposals. To implement the decision the following changes have taken place:

• a new paragraph in relation to severance schemes (Voluntary Redundancy and Voluntary Early Retirement Schemes) has been included at paragraph 1.7
• a new paragraph in relation to pension schemes has been included at paragraph 2.13
• the text in paragraphs 1.7 and 2.13 outlines that NewERA will provide advice on proposals to both individual Ministers and to DPER

In section 4. Governance Arrangements, a new paragraph, Remuneration and Superannuation is added referring the user to the Annex to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

A new Annex on Gender Balance, Diversity, and Inclusion to supplement the existing Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies was published in September 2020.

Read the Annex on Gender Balance, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Leagan Gaeilge - Iarscríbhinn ar an gCothromaíocht Inscne ar an Éagsúlacht agus ar an Ioncuimsiú

Press release for the launch of the Annex to the Code of Practice.

The revised and updated Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) is designed to ensure that both commercial and non-commercial State bodies meet the highest standards of corporate governance. It provides a framework for the application of best practice and is intended to take account of developments in respect of oversight, reporting requirements and the appointment of Board members. The Code is based on the underlying principles of good governance: accountability, transparency, probity and a focus on the sustainable success of the organisation over the longer term.

The updated Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) is split into a suite of documents comprising of the main Code and more detailed documents setting out the Code requirements as follows:

Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies

Leagan Gaeilge - An Cód Cleachtais chun Comhlachtaí Stáit a Rialú

Business and Financial Reporting Requirements

Audit and Risk Committee Guidance

Remuneration and Superannuation

Board Self-Assessment Evaluation Questionnaire

and

A Guide to Periodic Critical Review of Non-Commercial State Bodies

A consolidated Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 is provided. It contains the main Code and the 4 more detailed documents in a single pdf document, which may provide ease of reference.

For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent department and the State body is the Shareholder Expectation Letter. A model Shareholder Expectation Letter is included for information: Model Shareholder Expectation Letter.

Press release for the launch of the Code of Practice.

A list of the significant changes in the 2016 version of the Code of Practice from the 2009 version is available below.

Note for 2016 financial reporting periods.

Guidance for Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016

This guidance sets out how the requirements and financial reporting disclosures in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) should be reported in the financial statements of State bodies.

The guidance can be accessed below.

Leagan Gaeilge - Guidance for Financial Statements - Irish version

In April 2019, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Division (DPER) published Guidelines for Appointments of CEOs of Non-Commercial State Bodies.

The aim of these Guidelines is to assist the Board of Non-Commercial State Bodies (NCSB) and Parent Departments on the process to follow when appointing a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an NCSB.

These Guidelines are available online.

The Public Service Pay and Pensions Division (DPER) has prepared the following templates for use by Non-Commercial State Bodies and their parent department:

In May 2019, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Division (DPER) published a revised template contract of employment for appointments of CEOs of Commercial State Bodies.

This template is to ensure that standard contractual terms are applied to Chief Executive Officer posts in Commercial State Bodies. The terms and conditions of these posts are subject to the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

This template contract is updated from time to time and the latest version is available below:

Fees payable to Chairpersons and Members of State Boards

Current fees payable to Chairpersons and Members of State Boards.

Audit and Risk Committee Guidance

As part of the Climate Action Plan 2023, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform committed to reflecting the requirement to report on the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate within the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

The current 2024 Public Sector Climate Action Mandate was approved by Government in December 2023. The mandate highlights what public sector bodies must do to play a leadership role in driving climate action. It will be reviewed annually.

All applicable public bodies are required to report on compliance with the mandate annually, with each public sector body’s Climate and Sustainability Champion holding reporting responsibility. Additional information and guidance on implementing the mandate is available online.

NOTE

These documents may be updated from time to time without advance notification by the Government Accounting Unit. The most recent version will be published on this web page.

The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) is provided for reference.