Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
465. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the closure of the international and research services of the IPA will lead to a discontinuation of the public sector trends reports; if this was agreed with his Department in advance; if the Institute of Public Administration’s grant in aid was discussed in light of recent changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17144/23]
View answerI am informed by the IPA that the IPA has not taken the decision to close the Institute’s international services. However, as the IPA is undergoing a significant transformation at this time to enable the implementation of the organisation’s new five-year strategy (A New Era for Learning 2022-2027), the decision has been taken by management to pause taking on any new international work until Q1 2025. It is important to note that this does not affect any existing international work that the IPA is engaged in which will continue as normal. Future international work will be undertaken in accordance with strategic priorities.
With regards to the Institute’s research activities, the research unit will be restructured to align with the priorities of the new strategic plan which seeks to integrate research more closely within the teaching and learning practice of the IPA. In doing so, the strategy aims to strengthen the Institute’s authoritative position on public administration with the emphasis on building the IPA’s thought leadership capability. This will mean a re-prioritisation of services but no decision has been taken at this point to discontinue the public sector trends reports. The restructuring of the research unit has been discussed and agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The funding dimension of this transformation will be kept under review as appropriate.
