The quality of Ireland’s public administration is above the EU average and there are signs of quality improvements, according to a new report from the Institute of Public Administration (IPA). Its latest annual report on public sector trends says service improvements have been achieved at a time of staffing cuts, tight controls on resources, and a growing population placing increasing demands on services.

“To register some improvements in the quality of public services compared to other European countries in the current circumstances is no small feat,” it says.

The IPA report examines the size and cost of the public sector as well as the quality and efficiency of services compared to other EU countries. Among its conclusions, it says:

• Ireland’s score on traditional public service values of independence from political interference, freedom from bribery and corruption, and reliability and administrative fairness has improved in each of the last three years.
• In 2011, Ireland came 11th among 28 EU countries in World Bank rankings of government effectiveness.
• In 2013, Ireland ranked 9th on the effective implementation of government decisions.
• Surveys of business executives rank our public administration above the European average with Ireland ranking 5th on this indicator.
• Ireland continues to do relatively well when measuring the impact of public administration on the ability of companies to do business, with the efficiency of the tax regime performing particularly well. However Ireland’s ranking fell slightly in 2012 as performance improved across Europe.

The report found that satisfaction with public services varies significantly by sector. Satisfaction with the Irish education system and schools is the highest in Europe, whereas satisfaction with the quality of health care is below the European average. Confidence in the justice system and courts is quite high, while confidence in the police is around the European average. Although the level of trust in Irish regional and local authorities is increasing, it remains low compared to most European countries.

Size and cost

The report says the size and cost of the Irish public sector has fallen considerably since 2010. At 42% of GDP, Ireland’s public spending is significantly below the European average. Expenditure per head of population has also fallen significantly. In 2012, it fell below 2007 levels at just under €15,000 per person.

Public servants made up 16.4% of the labour force in 2011, placing Ireland in the middle grouping of European countries. Staff reductions have hit some sectors significantly more than others. The biggest proportionate drop has been in the non-commercial state agencies (21%) and local authorities (18%), but there have been relatively small reductions in education (4%) and the civil service (7%).

The report confirms that expenditure on public service pay and pensions has decreased from €18.7 billion in 2008 to €16.6 billion in 2013. Average weekly public sector earnings have fallen by €47.88 (5%) compared with a decrease of €2.41 (0.4%) in the private sector.