The Call for Innovative and Open Government
An Overview of Country Initiatives
This report presents an overview of country initiatives concerning efficient, effective public services and open and innovative government. It focuses on four core issues: delivery of public services in times of fiscal consolidation; a more effective and performance-oriented public service; promotion of open and transparent government; and strategies for implementation of a reform agenda. These issues were discussed at the OECD Public Governance Ministerial Meeting held in Venice, Italy, in November 2010, hosted by the Italian Ministry for Public Administration and Innovation.
Portugal
Budget consolidation undertaken between 2005-08, has not had a negative effect on the provision of public services, neither in terms of quantity nor in terms of quality. This process of budget consolidation implied the rationalisation of resources (for example, the Programme for Restructuring the Central Administration – PRACE) which enabled financial savings without jeopardising public service delivery.