Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

26. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the next phase of the proposed financial management shared services project for the Civil Service, defence and justice sectors; the savings and efficiencies expected; the proposed location for the financial management shared services centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9305/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last December, the Government agreed to proceed to the next stage of a Financial Management Shared Services Project for the Civil Service, Defence and Justice sectors. The initial scoping phase of the project has already been completed and represents an undeniable case for change.  It is estimated that sustainable savings in the region of €14.6 million, or over 30%, per annum could be achieved once a shared services solution has been fully implemented.   

The number of sites for this type of work would reduce from 20 currently down to 3.  The three sites that will accommodate the Financial Management Shared Services Centre are: the Department of Defence, Galway; the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform site, Tullamore; and the Department of Justice and Equality, Killarney.  These locations have been selected on the basis of an objective assessment of the level of skills and facilities available and the ability to attract staff from across the Public Service.  

A formal Request for Tenders to support the work of the Project Team during the current phase of work has issued on the eTenders website operated by the Office of Government Procurement.  The process is fully open and in line with all relevant EU requirements.  The work will entail documenting the detailed finance business requirements, developing the technology design and redesigning a single chart of accounts. 

A detailed implementation timeline and scope has not yet been developed pending the completion of this analysis. Once  this phase is completed, a further submission will be made to Government to proceed to full implementation.