Talent recruitment and retention have been identified as the leading challenges facing state agencies seeking to enhance the delivery of public services, according to a new survey of state agency CEOs by the Association of Chief Executives of State Agencies in Ireland (ACESA).
Close to three-quarters (73%) of respondents cited attracting talent, while more than six in 10 (62%) said retaining talented staff as the biggest challenge facing agencies between now and 2030.
Conversely, greater collaboration between state agencies, government and industry partners, a focus on outcomes and results (both 70%), and the digital transformation of operations (62%) provide significant opportunities to enhance public services.
"What is coming through clearly in the findings is that greater collaboration, focusing on outcomes over outputs, and completing the digital transformation of agency processes, will deliver tangible impact in the delivery of public services," said Dr Pamela Byrne, chair of ACESA and CEO of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
"At the same time, however, staffing remains a real and ongoing challenge for agencies, with CEO’s reporting that attracting staff in key areas is a significant barrier - an issue raised by more than seven in ten (73%). Retaining high performing staff was identified as issue by over six in ten (62%) CEOs."
In Association with
The survey was conducted by ASECA last month, and the publication coincides with the opening of the ASECA conference, which will see over 100 public services leaders gathering in Limerick to hear from experts on climate change, our shared island, the economic and social outlook, and the public service.
Keynote speaker Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien will tell the Conference that “The important role our State Agencies play in helping us to deliver our Programme for Government commitments and in meeting the needs of all our citizens cannot be underestimated.
"Our citizens rightly look to Government and to the public sector to light the way forward, to provide them with necessary support and to help them to navigate the many challenges we face before us. All of our State Agencies play a crucial role in this process and are frequently the interface between the State and our citizens.”
Dr Byrne said the conference was an opportunity for members to reflect on the ongoing evolution of state agencies and the services they provide to the Irish public.
"State Agencies and public service have faced numerous challenges over the past number of years; however, they have proven their agility and resourcefulness, not least in the face of Covid-19 and their ongoing embrace of technology to enhance service delivery," she continued.
"Over the next two days, CEO’s will be sharing their best practice models, which is a foundation for delivering improved public services.
"As an example, the agencies that have developed and implemented their own blended working polices which they have identified as performing well (67%) will share their insights and knowledge in an attempt to create a sector-wide, high performing blended working policy."
Delegates at the conference will hear from a series of Irish public sector leaders as well as international experts including Australian MP Victor Dominello, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government; Marien de Boer, Coordinator of the Netherlands’ Hybrid Working Programme, and leading American thinker on innovation and media, Michael Maness.
(Pic: Getty Images)
