Review of Public Administration
The Review of Public Administration (RPA) was initiated by the Executive in 2002 in recognition of the need for wide ranging review of the overall architecture of government and existing arrangements for accountability, administration and delivery of public services.
Significant areas targeted for reform included education, libraries, health & local government.
One of the key proposals was the creation of a single Education and Skills Authority and a separate Library Authority.
On 16th November 2011, the First and Deputy First Ministers announced that the Executive had agreed the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA).
This was supported by ‘Heads of Agreement’ document which outlined the key aspects of the agreement to provide greater clarity and certainty for the education sector going forward.
On 18th July 2012, the First and Deputy First Ministers confirmed that discussions on the content of the ESA Bill had successfully concluded and that the Bill would be brought to the next meeting of the Executive.
The creation of ESA is a key priority within the Executive’s Programme for Government 2011 – 2015 which states, “We will make the Education and Skills Authority operational in 2013.”
