1. Management Board Roles and Function
The Management Board acts as the primary decision-making committee within the Central Statistics Office.
a) The Management Board provides the leadership and management required at a corporate level in the CSO.
b) The Management Board sets the vision and strategic direction for the organisation, considering, as far as possible, customer, staff, and all other relevant stakeholder views. The Management Board works to turn the vision and strategy into a suite of tangible actions that will result in the implementation of the strategy. Evaluation of performance against those stated objectives is a key function for the Management Board to ensure that, where necessary, appropriate action is taken to ensure that targets are achieved.
c) The Management Board evaluates the vision at appropriate intervals, if necessary, carrying out amendments, based on evidence and experience to that point.
d) The Management Board, guided by the National Statistics Board (NSB), provides the appropriate leadership to the development of the broader Irish Statistical System.
e) The Management Board ensures that, by delegating and assigning responsibility and accountability to the appropriate person(s):
f) The Management Board monitors the performance of the CSO and ensure that the vision and strategies put in place are designed to continually improve the performance of the organisation, teams, and individuals.
g) The Management Board ensures that staff are supported to achieve their full potential. The Management Board ensures that staff resources are allocated in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible.
h) The Management Board manages the CSO budget at a corporate level and ensure that financial resources are effectively managed.
i) The Management Board monitors developments both nationally and internationally that may impact on the statistical environment.
j) The Management Board ensures that appropriate governance structures and mechanisms are in place in the CSO. The Management Board may delegate decision making on specific subjects to individuals or groups within the CSO as necessary. Such delegation should be clearly indicated in terms of reference given by the Management Board to the individuals or groups in question. The current governance structures are laid out in Appendix A (CSO Governance Model 2021).
k) Operational responsibility and accountability for the performance of different domains within the organisation, and implementation of cross-cutting corporate decisions and initiatives lies with ADGs/DIR and the relevant Heads of Division (HoDs) as outlined in assignments and responsibilities made by the Director General (DG) under the Public Service Management Act 1997.
l) The Management Board as part of its executive role reviews and monitors the performance of the organisation. The board meets with HoDs semi-annually to review agreed Divisional Action Plans (DAPs) and assess any identified risks during the year.
m) The Management Board supports the organisation as a champion of equality, diversity and inclusion. The Management Board will drive policies, in line with Civil Service policy, which support employees in their careers in the CSO.
None of the above supersedes the authority and accountability of the DG, as defined in the Statistics Act, Public Service Management Act and other legislation which governs the work of the Office. The DG has the authority to take decisions independently of the Management Board.
2. Membership
The Management Board comprises the:
The staff of the International, Policy and Planning Division provides secretarial support to the Management Board and will attend the meetings.
3. Guiding Principles
1. The delivery of free, independent, statistical information to support understanding, effective debate and decision making across government, business and society to create an informed society for the people of Ireland is paramount in the activities and decision-making role of the Management Board.
2. The Management Board is conscious of the role it must play in shaping the culture of the organisation and, the Management Board by its own actions and behaviour, will promote a culture of high performance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and will provide the appropriate leadership in this regard.
3. The Management Board prioritises developing peoples’ potential, values their contribution and enriches their professional experience. The board nurtures and promotes a positive working environment, staff well-being and morale.
4. The Management Board is committed to continuous development as a core principle for the organisation.
4. Meetings:
In general, Management Board meets formally on a weekly basis. Meetings are virtual or face-to face, as is appropriate. The meetings are chaired by the Director General or a person to whom this function has been delegated by the DG.
Corporeal MB meetings are scheduled in any CSO office location and a particular effort is made to ensure periodic attendance by MB as a group across all offices. For MB meetings to proceed, a quorum of 4 members shall be ordinarily required.
MB agrees to prioritise weekly MB meetings and agrees that alternative arrangements will be put in place where urgent decisions are required.
5. Agenda and Documents
1. Agenda items for Management Board can be put forward by any member of the Management Board or SMG. Proposals from SMG members must be submitted through the appropriate Assistant Directors General/Director. The Board will discuss the agenda for the next meeting as a standing item on the MB agenda.
2. All documents put forward must incorporate a front page which gives a brief outline of the issue for discussion/decision and state exactly what the Management Board is being asked to discuss or decide.
6. Communications
Agreed minutes of all Management Board meetings are posted once formally adopted by the Management Board. Decisions and action items are clearly communicated, and the Management Board takes an active role in ensuring that Heads of Division are briefed on all actions and decisions taken by the Management Board.
7. Confidentiality of Proceedings
The proceedings (e.g., individual views expressed by Management Board members during meetings) of Management Board meetings remain confidential at all times.
8. Review TOR
The TOR are reviewed on an annual basis.
(ToR Last reviewed in June 2024)