§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency. [28687]
§ Mr. MossThe following targets have been set for the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency for 1996–97. The targets are in line with the Government's policy of seeking to improve the service provided to clients in terms of both quality and value for money. I am satisfied that the targets present a demanding challenge for the agency.
Delivery of services
- To ensure the specification as to quality and quantity of services defined in the Service Level Agreement with the Health and Social Services—Executive is fully met.
- To set in place service-level agreements with the remainder of the client bodies for the provision of services.
- To develop a customer charter in line with the ethos of the Northern Ireland citizens charter.
Efficiency of services
- To carry out appropriate in-year efficiency reviews including the continuous market testing of design and consultancy functions to ensure that the most efficient and effective use is made of the agency's resources.
- To carry out a review of the agency's senior management structure by 31 March 1997.
- To ensure the achievement of an in-house 3 per cent. efficiency saving.
- To develop a programme for the measurement and management of productive to non-productive staff time.
Financial management
- To manage the agency's resources so as to deliver the business plan within a total budget of £4,004 million.
- To implement the requirements of the health estates resources accounting systems by 31 March 1997.
A copy of the targets is being placed in the Library of the House.