<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This article starts off by presenting a brief history of public service reform initiatives in Ireland, at both central and local government level, from the foundation of the state to the present day. Reasons for the reforms and the main issues addressed are highlighted. Common themes are identified. These common themes provide the basis for identifying and examining five enduring reform challenges: building the capability of public servants; involving and empowering the public; coordination and collaboration; centralisation versus decentralisation; and policy and evidence. Drawing from insights from previous reform efforts, and particularly those following the financial crisis, suggestions are made as to what steps might be taken in the next phase of reform to deal with them.</p></abstract>

This article starts off by presenting a brief history of public service reform initiatives in Ireland, at both central and local government level, from the foundation of the state to the present day. Reasons for the reforms and the main issues addressed are highlighted. Common themes are identified. These common themes provide the basis for identifying and examining five enduring reform challenges: building the capability of public servants; involving and empowering the public; coordination and collaboration; centralisation versus decentralisation; and policy and evidence. Drawing from insights from previous reform efforts, and particularly those following the financial crisis, suggestions are made as to what steps might be taken in the next phase of reform to deal with them.

Hindsight, insight and foresight: Some reflections on reforming the public service

Administration

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

This article starts off by presenting a brief history of public service reform initiatives in Ireland, at both central and local government level, from the...

Hindsight, insight and foresight: Some reflections on reforming the public service

Published Online: Dec 31, 2020

Page range: 7 - 26

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2020-0021

Keywords
Public service, reform, central government, local government, Ireland

© 2020 Richard Boyle, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Hindsight, insight and foresight: Some reflections on reforming the public service

Published Online: Dec 31, 2020

Page range: 7 - 26

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2020-0021

KeywordsPublic service, reform, central government, local government, Ireland

© 2020 Richard Boyle, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Public service, reform, central government, local government, Ireland