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THE DEPARTMENT OF Finance has said that a fall in investment has made it “impossible for it to achieve its overriding strategic goals” set by itself and by the government in its latest strategy document published today.
The Department of Finance Statement of Strategy 2011 – 2014 has been published with revisions for 2012 today and outlines a number of strategies to be undertaken including the establishment of an economics division and a project management unit.
The paper comes on foot of the establishment of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which has taken over the spending allocation aspect of the Department of Finance.
The latest strategy document contains details of a further breaking up of the department’s organisational structure into separate units and divisions.
Each government department is required to present a statement of strategy to the government for the period 2011 and 2014.
The aim of the economics division will be to focus on economic planning and performance monitoring with those working in the unit working on economic forecasts, carrying out macro-economic analysis and producing position papers.
A fiscal division will deal with taxation policy while a financial services unit will deal with financial regulation and monitoring the government’s stake in Ireland’s financial institutions.
An international division will deal with delivering the commitments laid out in the international bailout programme as well as Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the European Union and wider international relations.
In the document the new secretary general of the Department, John Moran, says that a fall in investment has made it impossible to achieve some of the objectives laid out.
The document states: “Since 2008 pay and non-pay costs have fallen significantly reflecting a fall in staffing and associated supports. This fall in investment in the Department makes it impossible for us to achieve our overriding strategic goals set by ourselves and by the Government.
“This is particularly so with the key important roles to be undertaken by the Department during the Presidency of the European Union in 2013 and in spearheading the economic recovery of the country.
“To continue with such reduced resources is not sustainable or advisable given the greater challenges facing the economy and financial sector.”
The document recommends a “threefold action plan” which will include extra training of staff as well as laying down challenges to “key performing staff”, there will also be additional staff hired to work in the Department in order “supplement our skills base”.
The Department has also promised to improve communications and transparency by examining how it can use social media to “communicate in more innovative ways”. It has also promised to improve its internet presence.
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Best of luck to Joanna , always a pleasant & friendly personality on RTE & did brilliantly in that dancing show. Still, that’s an unusual phrase to accompany a resignation ‘ my leaving has nothing to do with my work product’. Best of luck in future endeavours & happy retirement.
@Mary Linton: she freaks me out with. Her reports, flouncing like she is some sort when she ain’t.
@Basildon Joe: There’s always one, Joe. And today, you are centre stage.
Richard Head.
@Mary Linton: Gin clear Blue skies for your future, Joanna. You always explained the weather as well as giving the forecast. Your 2 books are also fantastic
@Mary Linton: it had nothing to do with her
work product, just the content she was given to push….. she knew she was spouting bullshït to further an agenda that may have taken its toll, if so fair play to her for having the courage to walk away
@Jim: Was it the chemtrails, Jim? Womble
@Basildon Joe: Get out of it Joe.
Comes across as a lovely lady, best of luck with your next venture Joanna
Very unusual way to sign off. Best of luck to her.
Good luck Joanna with your new adventures always so pleasant
Sad to hear, but the best of luck Joanne.
Good luck. Enjoy the freer atmosphere.
@Michael Walsh: sad to see her go very good at her job
Going to miss Joanna and that gorgeous friendly smile on RTE Weather news,
Best of luck Joanna.Always enjoyed your forecasts even if they were for bad weather
Always liked her, comes across as a good person. Wishing her all the best in what she does next. Judging by comments elsewhere, she seems to trigger the Right, for some reason.
More power to her, change is good for you. Her first book was great for the kids. And it creates an opportunity for someone else to step up.
Wishing her the very best and she was it appears very down to earth. I hope what ever you do it’s fulfilling and exciting.
Best of luck. Yourself and Gerry were firm favourites in this household for presenting the weather. Wish you all the best
She was always good humored even when the forecast was bad. Her presence made it feel a bit better. Slang go fill.
@hans vos: Slan go foil .
Best wishes Joanna and may fair weather follow you always.
Best wishes to your next adventures, not everything is about being in the public eye. May you find calm spells with gusts of laughter reaching full force and then easing overnight.
Joanna I always enjoyed your forecast. We will miss you and very fresh approach. Good luck going forward.
Nobody will ever beat Jean Byrne !
Best wishes for the future Joanna,you will be missed you were a really good presenter X
Best Wishes to Joanna – I always enjoyed her forecasts and the way she communicated them
Always gave a detailed and enthusiastic forecast. Best of luck on your new venture.
Slan go foil. I always enjoyed her way of forecasting, trying to explain the bigger picture behind the weather. Best of luck Joanna!
I believe she suffers from insomnia I do know what it’s like A nightmare
Wishing her all the best in her new direction. She did a good job.
Bit of an innovator – Dancing With The Stars *before retirement. Still – enjoy.
Good luck in whatever you do a pleasure to watch and listen to
I recall one time when she hadn’t quite struck her pose correctly as the camera started rolling,ah bless her.
Maybe she has aspirations of becoming a real journalist instead of working with the goverment spokes persons in the rte news room
@Joe Doyle: she’s not a journalist, she’s a meteorologist
@Joe Doyle: I think you will find most of the investigative journalism that is done in Ireland is done by RTE- Tuam babies, Maurice McCabe, Stardust etc
@Joe Doyle: She worked for Met Eireann.
Absolute Pro, best of Luck Joanna for the future
She’s going to be the next pope!
@Padraig O’Brien: we’ll see what’s on the washing line next week
We interrupt your broadcast with urgent news. Joanna Donnelly has vanished from RTÉ—not retired, removed. Sources at Met Éireann confirm: a media coup led by VMN’s own Collette “Doom Merchant” Fitzpatrick. Donnelly’s accurate forecasts were too calm. Collette demanded chaos—firestorms, ice tsunamis, dramatic pauses. Instruments failed, weather maps glitched, and thermometers turned to lava lamps. Donnelly’s final forecast? Coded in wind and birdsong. They silenced her voice—but if you listen closely… she’s still broadcasting.
Quality forecaster & an always in great form too. Best of luck to her
Wonder was she in Tramore last week
Excellent p8
Does anyone really care??
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