Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) Revised Action Plan for the Revenue Commissioners under the Public Service /Croke Park Agreement taking account of: • • •
Government policy on public service numbers and payroll reductions for the period 2012 to 2015 (including revised Employment Control Framework as notified for 2012 ) ; Decisions arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Budget 2012 ; and The Government's Public Service Reform Plan (published on 17th November 2011)
1. Better human resource management To include, for example, actions around the reduction of staff numbers; the redeployment of staff to areas of greatest need; the restructuring/reconfiguration of service delivery; changes to work practices; revisions in attendance arrangements; absence management; performance management etc. Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014
Paragraph 1.5 and 4.4
Action/commitment
Revenue will continue to manage downwards its overall staffing numbers in accordance with government policy, from a level of 6,581 in 2009 when the current programme of reductions commenced. Staffing 1/1/2009: Staffing 1/1/2010: Staffing 1/1/2011: Staffing 1/1/2012: ECF Target 2012:
1st Feb 2012
Target Date for Implementation
Rolling Timeframe for the lifetime of the agreement
6,581 6,105 6,076 5,962 5,774
1
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014
Action/commitment
Target Date for Implementation
Paragraph 1.13 and 4.11
Revenue will continue and intensify the process of rebuilding its internal ICT capability in key strategic areas. This will involve the recruitment of approximately 40 ICT staff at AO and EO levels and a progressive reduction in our reliance on relatively expensive ICT consultancy
Continuous but with a strong emphasis on frontloading recruitment in order to maximise savings over lifetime of Agreement
Paragraph 4.11
While adhering to our ECF, Revenue will continue the process of conducting its own open recruitment competitions to address crucial skills gaps and strengthen our capabilities in key strategic areas
Continuous during the lifetime of the agreement
Paragraph 4.11
While adhering to our ECF, Revenue will recruit contract staff with specialist skills where appropriate to deal with specific short or medium term operational or development needs. As part of their role, such staff may take on staff management responsibilities. Existing professional grade staff may also take on staff management responsibilities
Ongoing
Paragraph 4.12
Revenue will continue to develop PMDS as a tool to improve performance, challenge underperformance and develop the capabilities of our staff. In particular, individual quantitative and qualitative performance targets will be the norm in setting PMDS performance targets, with a strong focus on increasing productivity in the context of lower staff numbers
Pilot Phase being implemented for PMDS cycle 2012
Paragraph 4.1 and 4.12 Paragraph 4.10
Implement new Managing Underperformance Guidelines
Q4 2012
Revenue will implement the revised Civil Service policy on sick leave, which is designed to improve the management of sick leave
Policy implemented. This will be monitored and evaluated quarterly
Paragraph 4.1 Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4
Continued implementation of initiatives to combat absenteeism Revenue will employ a range of strategies to enable us manage seasonal and other peaks in demand for services, with fewer staff. These strategies, which will require much greater
Q3 2012 As required throughout the lifetime of the
1st Feb 2012
2
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014
Action/commitment
flexibility with regard to staff availability and deployment, will include:
Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4
1st Feb 2012
Target Date for Implementation
agreement
•
Greater use of temporary contract staff to deal with peak time activity
•
Greater flexibility with regard to the training of staff and, in particular, utilisation of staff in a particular grade to provide on-the-job training to colleagues in the same grade including temporary contract staff hired to deal with peak time activity or to replace staff on Shorter Working Year Scheme
As required
•
More extensive movement of staff and / or work between Divisions/Offices and across functions
Continuous
•
Flexible deployment of resources from customer services and transactional processing to compliance and debt management
•
Flexible deployment of allowance staff
As required
Revenue will continue and intensify the process of adapting our business to take account of developments in our environment, including the growing use of information and communications technology in delivering services to business and citizens and in managing compliance risks. This requires continuous adaptation of business processes and the work of our staff. This will include: •
Enhancing and developing the roles of all grades by learning new skills and through greater use of teams and teamworking
Ongoing
•
Examining outmoded work practices with particular reference to identifying and removing demarcation barriers to ensure that all staff can contribute to their full potential in meeting the challenges across all parts of Revenue’s business, particularly in relation to tackling non-compliance
Ongoing
3
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014
Action/commitment
•
Developing and implementing more enhanced roles for HEO, AO, EO, SO and CO grades across the full range of compliance programmes, including audit, debt management, etc.
Target Date for Implementation
Ongoing
Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4 Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4
Full participation/co-operation with any Revenue/Government accommodation rationalisation programme The ongoing review of smaller offices (with less than 25 staff) will continue in order to ensure that less efficient operations are integrated into larger centres and that efficiencies are achieved in our accommodation overheads. Staff impacted by closures will be redeployed in accordance with the agreed redeployment arrangements in the Public Service Agreement
Ongoing
Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4 Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4 Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4 Paragraph 4.3 and 4.4 Paragraph 4.4
Implement recommendations of the allowances review
Q4 2012
Reduce value of allowances in line with Government decision
Q2 2012
Transition certain functions to HR shared services centre
Q4 2012
Develop framework and advance workforce planning Action Plan
Q2 2012
Deployment of staff outside the standard hours of attendance on a specific business need/risk basis will be progressed
Q3 2012
1st Feb 2012
Q4 2012
4
2. Better Business Processes To include, for example actions to increase efficiency and productivity; rationalise core structures, business processes, accommodation requirements etc; establish shared service approaches, establish cross-functional teams/ new work structures, optimise the potential of new technology to streamline operations and generate efficiencies etc. 3. Delivering for the Citizen To include, for example, actions to enhance service delivery to the public, including changes to the technology used, more online services, service integration, efforts to reduce information burdens on citizens through better data management/sharing of data, including around identity etc
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014
Paragraph 4.13
Paragraph 4.13
Paragraph 4.13
Action/commitment
Revenue has been and will continue to be involved in a process of continuous change and development as we adapt our business models and re-engineer our business processes as technology, legislation and business priorities evolve. There will be further modernisation and change, new work practices and new developments will be rolled out over the lifetime of this Agreement. Developments include: • The introduction of new/modified ICT systems and associated changes in work practices •
Implementation of continuous improvement initiatives e.g. lean business process reviews, quality assurance programmes, etc Final phase of delivery of new work processes for Intrastat
Target Date as per Current Action Plan
Ongoing
Q1 2012
Paragraph 4.13
•
New and ongoing work developments/changes in practices or to legislation e.g. Stamp Duty Self-Assessment, VRT, CAT, Excise, Income levy, DWT, Universal Social Contributions, etc.
Ongoing
Paragraph 4.13
•
Web-based technology will be used where possible to reduce costs
Ongoing
1st Feb 2012
5
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014
Action/commitment
Paragraph 4.13
•
Paragraph 4.13
•
Paragraph 4.13
•
Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13
• •
Paragraph 4.13
• • •
Paragraph 4.13
Target Date as per Current Action Plan
Revenue will strengthen its business metrics, in line with the recommendations of the ORP Report. This will involve more rigorous recording of appropriate data on staff case working and transaction processing activity. Systems will be enhanced to ensure collection of the required data. The objective is to improve the quality of management information on costs and outputs that will support an improved allocation of scarce resources and drive productivity The re-engineering and simplification of Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) legislation and processes Improvements to our Integrated Case management (ICM) system, will allow caseworkers record and report on compliance related interventions, and enhance the “Risk Management” dimension of our workflows. In addition, they will provide electronic productivity metrics, thus enhancing the quality of management information Advancement of the PAYE medium-term redesign project Complete preparation for Phase 1 implementation programme of mandatory submission of financial statements using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)
Q3 2012
Complete phase 4 of Mandatory electronic filing of returns and payments regime Complete phase 5 of Mandatory electronic filing of returns and payments regime Risk Evaluation and Analytics Revenue will support a common business identifier index Revenue will continue to exchange data across Gov Dept and Agencies
Q2 2012 Q2 2013
Q1 2012 Q3 2012
Q3 2012 Q4 2012
Paragraph 4.13
•
Implement e-Professional Service Withholding Tax
Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13
• •
Increase use of e-Registration Implementation and advancement of the Cumulative Universal Social Charge
Implementation as per Integrated Reform Delivery timescales Q2 2013 subject to budgetary constraints Q3 2012 Q2 2012
Paragraph 4.13
•
Customer Contact Reduction Project focussing initially on PAYE customer contacts
Q4 2013
Paragraph 4.13
•
Complete preparation for phased implementation of the e-Customs Manifest System
Q1 2013
1st Feb 2012
6
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014
Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 4.13 Paragraph 1.9 and 4.15
Action/commitment
• • • • • • • •
Improved Custom Risk Systems (CRISP) Extend real-time risk assessment e.g. VAT Review of Revenue Technical Services Systems Phased completion of Excise Project Implement relevant aspects of procurement reform plan Commence review of vehicle registration arrangements Implement relevant aspects of logistics and inventory management Review structures and staff allocation model to ensure better match with evolving strategy and resource availability Revenue will participate fully in interdepartmental initiatives to identify and rationalise services currently delivered on a Departmental basis. These will include initiatives in the delivery of services to citizens as well as initiatives in support services to other Departments/Offices, such as payroll and HR Shared Services. These may result in Revenue hosting and/or delivering services for other Departments/ Offices where this is compatible with our core business and/or devolving services to other Departments/Offices. Initiatives will include: • •
1st Feb 2012
Expanding the range of import/export compliance interventions and controls undertaken on behalf of other agencies Expansion of computer hosting, printing and mailing services to other government departments
Target Date as per Current Action Plan
Q2 2012 Q4 2012 Q1 2012 Q3 2012 Q2 2012 Q1 2013 Q4 2012 Q4 2012 Ongoing during lifetime of the agreement. Details to be added as initiatives are developed
Ongoing Ongoing in line with demand
Currently in discussion with the Department of Education and Science regarding printing and mailing of teacher’s payslips. Service is expected to commence in February 2012
As per DES requirements
Evaluating the demand for and feasibility of delivering further services to government Departments, e.g. ICT Project Management, Training, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security and encryption services
As per demand, subject to central initiatives including new eGovernment Strategy
Participate in review of data sharing legislation provisions
Q2 2012 7
Terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014
Paragraph 1.4 Paragraph 4.4
Paragraph 4.4
1st Feb 2012
Action/commitment
Determine scope and strategic case for sharing Debt Collections for Government Departments and Agencies Identify topics for VFM review Revenue will review and revise existing shift arrangements to improve service and make savings where possible. This review will include the arrangements currently in place in our Data Centres with a view to providing 24/7 support in the context of the ongoing extension of electronic services, increased traffic via this medium, and the provision of ‘hosting’ services to other Government Departments Identify opportunities for external service delivery e.g. agent PAYE mediated services
Target Date as per Current Action Plan
Q4 2012 Q1 2012 Q3 2012
Q4 2012
8
