Review of Public Administration (RPA)
This section of the Agency’s website provides guidance for employees and employers affected by proposals under the RPA to promote a better understanding of the employment relations issues which will arise as a result of the review and the framework for advice, guidance and support which is available.
Background
Following the 1998 Belfast Agreement and the subsequent establishment of the institutions of the devolved government, it was decided that there should be a review of all other aspects of public administration in Northern Ireland. The purpose of this review was to develop a system of public administration which fully meets the needs of the people in Northern Ireland.
The Executive recognised the valuable contribution made by all those who were involved in ensuring the delivery of high quality public services during the past 30 years or so. It recognised the need to maintain a dedicated, professional public service, ensuring that the public sector continued to attract and retain quality staff in order to continue to deliver high quality services.
The Review of Public Administration reached a conclusion in March 2006. It was a comprehensive examination of the arrangements for the administration and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland covering almost 150 bodies, including the 26 district councils, the Health Boards and Trusts, the five Education and Library Boards and about 100 other organisations.
The Review was launched by the Northern Ireland Executive in June 2002, and following the suspension of devolution in the autumn of that year was progressed by direct rule ministers. The Secretary of State announced the final outcome of the review in two parts. In November 2005 he announced final decisions on the future of local government, Education and Health and Social Service structures. In March 2006 he announced decisions on the remaining public bodies.
The review was carried out in phases with two major public consultation exercises and an extensive programme of research that included briefing papers, surveys, study visits, and focus groups.
It was anticipated that up to 100,000 employees could be affected by the process. In March 2006 the Secretary of State announced the creation of a Public Service Commission for Northern Ireland to provide Guiding Principles and recommendations on how issues affecting staff and transfers should be implemented through the review. The Commission is not a statutory body and is independent of government but the Secretary of State indicated that government attaches the “highest importance” to the advice and recommendations of the Commission.
The range of public bodies affected by the RPA is extensive and can best be checked by access to: www.rpani.gov.uk/index/faq/rpa-affected-group
Guiding Principles – Public Service Commission
This section of the Agency’s website uses the guiding principles issued by the Public Service Commission to provide information on the issues affecting employees and links to other sources of advice, guidance and information regarding developments in the RPA process. The Guiding Principles can be viewed in greater detail below by clicking on the links.
Labour Relations Agency Advice
The Agency provides an impartial and confidential employment relations service. In the context of the Review of Public Administration the Agency can offer advice on issues such as transfers, mobility, procedures, displacement, redundancy and internal and independent appeals. This can initially be obtained through contacting the Agency’s Helpline advice line on 028 9032 1442 or in relevant sections of this website.
To view information on the guiding principles click on the following links
- First Guiding Principle: Effecting Communication
- Second Guiding Principle: Managing vacancies effectively
- Third Guiding Principle: Staff transfers
- Fourth Guiding Principle: Filling new posts in new organisations
- Draft Fifth Guiding Principle: Voluntary severance arrangements
- Sixth Guiding Principle: Employers statutory obligations
- Seventh Guiding Principle: Location
- Eighth Guiding Principle: Equality
- Ninth Guiding Principle: Capacity Building
- Tenth Guiding Principle: Reorganisation and Implementation of change
