IMPACT national secretary Eamonn Donnelly, welcomed the introduction of the board. “Unions have pushed for accountability of performance for a long time. Apart from ensuring quality in the delivery of service, real accountability would dispel the often held, or default assumption, that the civil service under-performs. This is a view which simply has no basis” he said.

The accountability board will, for the first time, create a performance management system for secretaries general and create oversight on accountability and performance across the entire civil service.

The terms of reference approved by the Government include:

• Overall governance across the civil service; advice and support on the development of the capacity and capability of the civil service
• Provide oversight and review of proposals for a new performance management system for secretaries general and the effective implementation and operation of the system across the civil service
• Provide oversight and review of the new programme of organisational capability reviews, including implementation of recommendations arising from the review process
• Oversee civil service capability in implementing cross-cutting priorities set by Government or other system-wide issues; this may involve considering individual case studies to promote learning and highlight best practice.

The Board is to be chaired by the Taoiseach and balanced with ministerial, civil service and external members, according to the Department.