Stratagem Guide to:

New Northern Ireland Government Departments

May 2016

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Contents

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3

New Departmental Structure ……………………………………………………………….…………………………..................4 Core Policy Responsibilities…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………..5

Key Departmental Contacts………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

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Introduction

New Northern Ireland Government Departments

The Stormont House Agreement of 23 December 2014 included a commitment that the number of Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Departments would be reduced from 12 to nine, immediately following the next Assembly election.

The subsequent agreement, entitled, A Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan, reached in December 2015 following a further round of inter-party talks, laid out the structures of the new departments. It was agreed by the Executive that the 2016-17 Budget would be agreed on the basis of the re-organised departmental model.

The Budget states: “This will be the most extensive reorganisation of the departmental structures since 1999. It provides an opportunity for improved cohesion between, and within departments and greater efficiency and transparency in public administration which will ultimately lead to improved services to citizens.” Another key driver behind the restructuring is the belief that it will “create significant cost saving”.

It should be noted that, despite such a major overhaul of government structures, no additional powers or functions have been created, no existing functions removed, and no policies terminated.

This guide lays out the structures of the nine new government departments, their core policy responsibilities, and key personnel within each department that became operational on 9 May 2016.

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Source: Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, 2015

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Core Policy Responsibilities

Department

Summary Core policy responsibilities Formerly with

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

Primarily a renamed Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, with additional environmental responsibilities. DAERA will mainly work in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and industrial sectors, as well as the environment and rural needs.

Animal health and welfare

Countryside management

Crops and horticulture

Fisheries

Food industries

Forestry

Livestock farming

Plant and tree health

Rivers and flooding

Rural development

DARD

Environmental functions including regulation

DOE

Inland Fisheries DCAL

Sustainability Strategy

OFMdFM

Department for Communities

The Department for Social Development is renamed the Department for Communities, but with a considerably wider area of policy responsibility. Some of the key objective and spending areas will be Employment and Social Security, Child Maintenance Service, Housing, Culture Arts and

Housing

Urban regeneration

Benefits and pensions

Voluntary and community

Appeals Service

DSD

Culture, Arts and Leisure, PRONI DCAL

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Leisure, Community Cohesion and Regeneration and the North South Language Body.

Older People, Active Ageing Strategy.

Sponsor branch for Commissioner for

Older People with the exception of the

appointment of the Commissioner

Sponsor branch for Commissioner for

Children and Young People with the

exception of the appointment of the

Commissioner

Disability Strategy, Anti Poverty and

Child Poverty

Gender and sexual orientation

OFMdFM

Employment Service

Economic Inactivity Strategy

DEL

Local Government DOE

Built Heritage NIEA

Financial Capability Strategy

Debt advice

DETI

Department for the Economy

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is renamed the Department for the Economy. The Department for the Economy is tasked with achieving the long term economic growth by improving competitiveness, and to build a larger and more export-driven private sector.

Consumer affairs

Credit Unions and Societies

Economic policy

Energy

European support

Minerals and petroleum

Telecoms

DETI

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Tourism

Insolvency service

Higher Education

Youth training and apprenticeships

Northern Ireland European Social Fund (ESF)

DEL

Department of Education

The name of the Department of Education is unchanged, but some additional responsibility regarding children’s services means that the department will have a new and wider remit.

Curriculum and learning

Pupils and parents

Teaching staff

Non-teaching staff

Schools and infrastructure

DE

Children and Young People

Childcare Strategy

OFMdFM

Department of Finance

The Department of Finance and Personnel is renamed the Department of Finance, and remains largely unchanged. The overall aim of the Department is “to help the Executive secure the most appropriate and effective use of resources and services for the benefit of the community”. NB: The Stormont House Agreement also made way for the establishment of a Fiscal Council, which will mirror the work of the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) in the UK.

Public Finance

Procurement

Property rating and valuation

Land registration

Mapping and geographic information

Building Regulations and energy efficiency of buildings

Civil law reform

Account NI

Public sector reform

DFP

NI Direct Central Editorial Team

Government Advertising Unit

OFMdFM

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Department of Health

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is renamed the Department of Health and is unchanged in terms of policy responsibility.

Health and Social Care (HSC)

Public Health

Public Safety

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Finance, Procurement & Support Services

Public health policy and advice

Pharmacy

Social services, including child protection

DHSSPS

Department for Infrastructure

The Department for Regional Development is renamed the Department for Infrastructure. The department is tasked with supporting economic growth and prosperity through developing infrastructure and having planning oversight, including rivers and waterways.

Roads and road improvement schemes

Transport initiatives

Public transport and Active travel

DRD procurement

Water and sewerage services

Ports

Regional development

DRD

Vehicle regulation, road safety & Driver and Vehicle Agency

Strategic Planning

DOE

Rivers Agency

DARD

Inland Waterways and Waterways Ireland

DCAL

Crumlin Road Goal Programme-Project management

St Lucia ex-MOD site

OFMdFM

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Department of Justice

The name of the Department of Justice is unchanged by the Bill. The Department is responsible for the justice system and policing.

Justice and the law

Legal aid

Prisons

Youth justice

Forensic science

Policing and community safety

DOJ

Planning Appeals Commission and Water Appeals Commission administration support

OFMdFM

The Executive Office (TEO)

The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is renamed The Executive Office, though a substantial number of policy areas of responsibility have been transferred to the other eight departments, notably the Department for Communities.

Delivering Social Change [Signature Programmes]

Social Investment Fund

Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC)

Racial Equality Strategy

Minority Ethnic Development Fund

Crisis Fund

Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry

Victims and Survivors

International Relations

Infrastructure investment

Strategic Policy and Innovation Unit

OMFdFM

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Key Departmental Contacts

Department

Address Permanent Secretary Deputy Secretaries

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

Dundonald House Upper Newtownards Road Ballymiscaw Belfast BT4 3SB

Noel Lavery Noel.lavery@daera-ni.gov.uk

Robert Huey - Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group Robert.huey@daera-ni.gov.uk

Malcolm Beattie – Forest Service Malcolm.beattie@daera-ni.gov.uk

David Small – Environment and Marine Group David.small@daera-ni.gov.uk

Louise Warde-Hunter – Central Services and Rural Affairs Group Louise.warde-hunter@daera-ni.gov.uk

(Vacant) – Food and Farming Group

Department for Communities

Lighthouse Building 1 Cromac Place Gasworks Business Park Ormeau Road Belfast BT7 2JB

Leo O’Reilly Leo.oreilly@communities-ni.gov.uk

Andrew Hamilton – Strategic Policy and Resources Group Andrew.hamilton@communities-ni.gov.uk

Tracy Meharg – Community and Regeneration Housing Tracy.meharg@communities-ni.gov.uk

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Ian Maye – Community Cohesion, Culture and Sport Ian.maye@communities-ni.gov.uk

Tommy O’Reilly – Working Age Tommy.oreilly@communities-ni.gov.uk

Denis McMahon Denis.mcmahon@communities-ni.gov.uk

Department for the Economy

Adelaide House 39-49 Adelaide Street Belfast BT2 8FD

Andrew McCormick Andrew.mccormick@economy-ni.gov.uk

Derek Baker – Strategic Policy Group Derek.baker@economy-ni.gov.uk

Eugene Rooney – Operational Policy Group Eugene.rooney@economy-ni.gov.uk

Chris Stewart – Economic Infrastructure and Regulation Group Chris.stewart@economy-ni.gov.uk

Heather Cousins – Corporate Services Heather.cousins@economy-ni.gov.uk

Department of Education

Rathgael House Balloo Road Bangor BT19 7PR

Paul Sweeney Paul.sweeney@education-ni.gov.uk

Gavin Boyd – Education Authority Chief Executive Gavin.boyd@education-ni.gov.uk

Katrina Godfey – Education and Children’s Services Policy Paul.sweeney@education-ni.gov.uk

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Fiona Hepper – Resources, Reform and Infrastructure Fiona.hepper@education-ni.gov.uk

John Smith – SRO: Lisanelly Shared Campuses Programme John.smith@education-ni.gov.uk

Noelle Buick – Chief Inspector, Education & Training Inspectorate Noelle.buick@education-ni.gov.uk

Department of Finance

Clare House 303 Airport Rd Belfast BT3 9ED

David Sterling David.sterling@finance-ni.gov.uk

Hugh Widdis – Head of Legal Services Hugh.widdis@finance-ni.gov.uk

Colum Boyle – Chief Executive and Accounting Officer LPS Colum.boyle@finance-ni.gov.uk

Paul Wickens – Chief Executive Enterprise Shared Services Paul.wickens@finance-ni.gov.uk

Des Armstrong – Central Procurement Division Des.armstrong@finance-ni.gov.uk

Colin Lewis – Corporate Services Colin.lewis@finance-ni.gov.uk

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Michael Brennan – Public Expenditure Directorate Michael.brennan@finance-ni.gov.uk

Colin Sullivan – Strategic and Policy Reform Colin.sullivan@finance-ni.gov.uk

Vacant – NI Statistics and Research Agency

Department of Health

Information Office C5.20 Castle Buildings Stormont Estate Belfast BT4 3SQ

Richard Pengelly Richard.pengelly@health-ni.gov.uk

Dr Michael McBride – Chief Medical Officer Michael.mcbride@health-ni.gov.uk

Julie Thompson – Resources and Performance Management Julie.thompson@health-ni.gov.uk

Sean Holland – Social Policy Sean.holland@health-ni.gov.uk

Deborah McNeilly – Healthcare Policy Deborah.mcneilly@health-ni.gov.uk

Department for Infrastructure

Clarence House 10-18 Adelaide Street Belfast BT2 8GB

Peter May Peter.may@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

Fiona McCandless – Strategic Planning, Planning Policy, DVA and Water Shareholder/Drainage Policy Fiona.mccandless@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

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John McGrath – Public Transport Services, Road Safety and Vehicle Regulation, Transport, Corporate Services John.mcgrath@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

Andrew Murray – Network Services, Engineering, River Agency Operations, Transport Projects Andrew.murray@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

Department of Justice

Block B Castle Buildings Stormont Estate Belfast BT4 3SH

Nick Perry Nick.perry@justice-ni.gov.uk Or Nick.perry@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

Lian Patterson – Justice Delivery Lian.patterson@justice-ni.gov.uk Or Lian.patterson@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

David Lavery – Access to Justice David.lavery@justice-ni.gov.uk Or David.lavery@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

Anthony Harbinson – Safer Communities Anthony.harbinson@justice-ni.gov.uk Or Anthony.harbinson@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

Sue McAllister – Reducing Officer Sue.mcallister@justice-ni.gov.uk Or Sue.mcallister@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

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The Executive Office (TEO)

GD36 Stormont Castle Stormont Estate Belfast BT4 3SH

Malcolm McKibbin Malcolm.mckibbin@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

Stephen Grimason – EIS, British/Irish/International Relations, Executive Support and NSMC Stephen.grimason@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

Dr Mark Browne – Strategic Policy, Finance, Equality and Good Relations Mark.browne@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

Brenda King – Office of the Legislative Counsel Brenda.king@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

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