Call for greater efficiency in administration of Parliament
Consultant says about one third of Parliament staff could be phased out
|
|
|
A consultant hired to examine the efficiency of the workings of the Finnish Parliament has found much room for improved efficiency. According to a report released on Wednesday, the problem of inefficiency is seen as especially great in the basic services of Parliament.
The consultant compared how Parliament’s basic services are produced with procedures prevailing in other organisations. The conclusion was that in the long term Parliament could trim nearly 130 person work years from the basic services of Parliament. Currently 332 people are employed in producing the basic services.
The services include economic and personnel management, property maintenance, security, and the Parliament’s information service.
The consultant’s report was submitted on Wednesday to the group overseeing plans for administrative reform in Palriament.
Speaker of Parliament Sauli Niinistö (Nat. Coalition Party) emphasised at a press conference that the comparative figures are theoretical, and that Parliament is a unique institution. Therefore, in his view, the calculations do not constitute goals.
Riku Santala, a representative of the consultant, noted that the figures do not mean that there would be anything “loose” in the administrative structures of Parliament, but they do suggest that the retirement of civil servants “offers a possibility” to make structural changes in the organisation.
In the coming 12 years, an estimated 225 of Parliament’s 475 civil servants will retire.
The study largely concentrated on administration, responsibility, job descriptions, the definition of services, the organisation of planning and reporting, and the roles and responsibilities of administrative teams.
For the organisation of the whole Parliamentary office, the consultant offers a model, which implements the kind of buffer principle called for by Niinistö: services linked directly with legislative work are to be separated from basic services, and given a separate section.
It has not yet been decided who would lead the new office.
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 19.6.2008 - TODAY |
 Call for greater efficiency in administration of Parliament |
|
