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Minister Donohoe publishes Final Report of Independent Review Panel on Senior Public Service Recruitment and Pay Processes

The Minister for Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has today (Tuesday, 27 June) published the final Report of the Independent Review Panel on Senior Public Service Recruitment and Pay Processes.

The Independent Review Panel was established following a government decision in March 2022 and was tasked with examining the following:

  • current recruitment process at the senior management level in the public service
  • the process for determining pay and the related terms and conditions for senior public service posts
  • the arrangements for Secretaries General once they have reached the end of their term in post

The Independent Review Panel was chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir, former Chairperson of the Low Pay Commission (2015-2021) and current member of the Policing Authority. Other members were Jenny Smyth, a former Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry plc., and Bryan Andrews, the Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service from 2004-2012.

Minister Donohoe commented:

"I welcome the Report of the Review Panel, which I have published today, and its important recommendations. The publication of this Report is an important step in strengthening pay and appointment practices in the public service while providing for the sustainability of the public sector pay bill and protection of the public interest.

"I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Independent Review Panel, Donal de Buitléir, as well as the other members, for their hard work and expert insight throughout the entire process.

"Government has agreed to progress the establishment of a Senior Posts Remuneration Committee that will provide independent advice on remuneration arrangements for senior posts in the public service and CEOs of Commercial State Bodies. My department will now develop the necessary legislation to establish this Committee on a statutory basis and I will give due consideration to how best to implement the remaining recommendations set out in the Report.

"In line with the Report’s recommendations, and recognising the increased demands and the restructuring and transfer of functions in recent years of key government departments, I have requested the Independent Review Panel to remain in place for the coming weeks to undertake a review of the grading of the Secretary General posts in the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Housing, Local Government and Heritage within the existing structure. I will revert to Government when this work is complete.”

Notes

Following government approval on Tuesday 29 March 2022, the Independent Review Panel was established to conduct a review of the current recruitment and pay determination processes in place for Senior Public Service posts, in particular arrangements in the Civil Service.

The objective of the Panel was to review the appointment process of senior level recruitment, including all Secretaries General of government departments, and pay determination issues to ensure that guidelines are open and transparent.

The review considered the following areas:

  • current recruitment process - independently assess the current recruitment process in place for Senior Public Service posts, in particular in the Civil Service, to provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies to improve processes and outcomes
  • process of determining pay and related terms and conditions for Senior Public Service appointments - review the process for determining terms and conditions for senior posts including relevant Ministerial powers, tenure and pay determination procedures
  • arrangements for Secretaries General at end of term - examine the retirement and severance terms provided under current government policy

The following were appointed as members of the Panel:

  • Chairperson - Dr. Donal de Buitléir - Current Member of The Policing Authority (since March 2021) and former Chairperson of the Low Pay Commission (2015 to 2021)
  • Member - Jenny Smyth - Independent Consultant and Former Senior Client Partner, Korn Ferry plc, Global Consultancy
  • Member - Bryan Andrews - Former Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service from 2004 to 2012. Managing Director of BA and Associates, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Specialists

On the basis of their review, the Panel made a range of findings and 38 recommendations. The full Report of the Panel is available on gov.ie at: Review of Senior Public Service Recruitment and Pay Determination Processes.