The Institute of Public Administration has launched a new leadership programme for senior figures working in the public service.
The training has been put in place to "address critical skills, encourage innovation and take an integrated approach to cross-governmental issues such as infrastructure, housing, climate change, healthcare and immigration."
The SPS Strategic Leadership Programme will also "build leadership capabilities to prepare for emerging areas impacting public services including digital transformation, AI and sustainability."
This year's programme, which is being led by Dr Cedric Chau, the IPA Director of Senior Public Service (SPS) will train almost 200 leaders at Principal Officer level and above.
The programme designers say they are also seeking to "cultivate a strong leadership community within the Public Service to meet succession planning needs and foster collaborative relationships within and between organisations."
The programme is part of the Better Public Services 2030 Transformation Strategy, which is a government strategy to strengthen leadership capacity at senior levels.
The IPA has partnered with both Trinity College Dublin and the Roffey Institute for the leadership programme.
Speaking at the launch, Helen Brophy, Director General of the IPA, said: “Investing in leadership development is central to providing better public services to the citizens of our country and the role of the IPA is critical to meeting the current and future challenges faced by the Public Service.
“With its diverse education, learning and development programmes, the IPA works in partnership with the Public Service to ensure that its over 425,000 staff and employees have access to supports that build an innovative, agile and resilient workforce for the future when, where and how they need it.”
Top pic (L-R) are Institute of Public Administration (IPA) Chair George Burke, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform & Digitalisation, Jack Chambers and Helen Brophy, IPA Director General
