2017 Excellence and Innovation Awards

The Minister Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, TD, who was joined by the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, Robert Watt, last night (Monday) announced the winners of the 2017 Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards. The awards were established under the Civil Service Renewal Programme to recognise the achievements of civil servants and showcase examples of best practice and innovation in Government Departments and Offices.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham last night that was attended by the shortlisted project teams from across the civil service, Minister Donohoe said:

‘These Awards give us a rare opportunity to come together and reflect on the successes and recognise the excellent work that is happening throughout the civil service. The award categories themselves demonstrate the complex and diverse nature of the work of Government Departments and Offices’.

Reflecting on the challenges facing the civil service to deliver in the future, the Minister also said:

‘A key strength is the staff that make up the civil service and this is reflected in the success of the shortlisted projects. The Irish civil service compares very well with public administrations in other countries and it is recognised by our international stakeholders as a quality public administration’.

Secretary General Watt said:

‘Ireland has all the hallmarks of a professional civil service which continues to learn and develop. We have shown over time that we can adapt and respond to challenging circumstances and embrace change and reform. Looking ahead to the future, the civil service must continue to innovate’.

Citizen Impact
Enhanced Online Services for Customers – Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Excellence In Customer Service
Social Insurance Statement – a MyWelfare Online service – Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Excellence in Policy
National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 – Department of Health

Excellence in Innovation
A New Model for Allocating Special Education Teachers to Schools – Department of Education and Skills

Digital Excellence
High Speed Broadband Map – Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Research, Analytics, and Insight
MÉRA, (Met Éireann ReAnalysis) – Met Éireann, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

Excellence Through Collaboration
Farm Hazardous Waste Collection Scheme 2015-2016 – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Excellence in People, Skills and Organisational Development
Better Data/Better Lives, Delivery of Statistical and Analytical Expertise to the Civil Service – Central Statistics Office

Leading Civil Service Renewal
Build to Share Applications – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

World Class Civil Service
Online Passport Renewal – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade