The Executive Office: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Executive Office is jointly led by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, coordinating the work of the wider Executive, overseeing cross-cutting priorities such as good relations and children’s services, and representing Northern Ireland’s interests at home and abroad. Political leadership First Minister Michelle O’Neill (Sinn Féin) and deputy First Minister Andrew Muir (Alliance […]
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is responsible for farming, food, fisheries, forestry, environmental protection, rural development and animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland. Political leadership The department is led by minister Andrew Muir (Alliance Party). Legislative programme Three bills are currently attributed to DAERA: Agriculture Bill — passed, Royal Assent […]
Department for Communities: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department for Communities (DfC) is responsible for housing, welfare and social security, employment support, local government, arts, culture, sport and tackling poverty and disadvantage. Political leadership The department is led by minister Gordon Lyons (Democratic Unionist Party). Legislative programme Five bills are currently attributed to DfC: Defective Premises Bill — passed, Royal Assent Pensions […]
Department for the Economy: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department for the Economy (DfE) is responsible for economic policy, business regulation, energy, tourism, further and higher education, skills and employment law in Northern Ireland. Political leadership The department is led by minister Caoimhe Archibald (Sinn Féin). Legislative programme Five bills are currently attributed to DfE, spanning energy and business regulation: Insolvency (Amendment) Bill […]
Department of Education: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department of Education (DE) is responsible for pre-school, primary and post-primary education, including school funding, the curriculum, special educational needs and youth services. Political leadership The department is led by minister Paul Givan (Democratic Unionist Party). Legislative programme Three bills are currently attributed to DE: School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill — passed, Royal […]
Department of Finance: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department of Finance (DoF) is responsible for the Northern Ireland budget, public spending, rates, procurement, the Civil Service, land and property services and digital government. Political leadership The department is led by minister John O’Dowd (Sinn Féin). Legislative programme Nine bills are currently attributed to DoF — more than any other department, reflecting Finance’s […]
Department of Health: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department of Health (DoH) is responsible for health and social care services, public health, hospitals, primary care, mental health services and the health and social care workforce. Political leadership The department is led by minister Mike Nesbitt (Ulster Unionist Party). Legislative programme Three bills are currently attributed to DoH: Hospital Parking Charges Bill — […]
Department for Infrastructure: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is responsible for roads, public transport, water and sewerage, strategic planning, road safety and driver and vehicle services. Political leadership The department is led by minister Liz Kimmins (Sinn Féin). Legislative programme Two bills are currently attributed to DfI, both at Committee Stage: Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill […]
Department of Justice: minister, remit and legislative programme
The Department of Justice (DoJ) is responsible for the justice system in Northern Ireland, including policing policy, courts, prisons, youth justice, legal aid and support for victims of crime. Political leadership The department is led by minister Naomi Long (Alliance Party). Justice is the only Executive department whose minister is elected by cross-community vote of […]
Committee for Health: role, membership and bills before it
The Committee for Health is one of nine statutory committees at Stormont, each shadowing a single Executive department. It scrutinises the work of the Department of Health and its minister, examining policy, expenditure and administration, and considers relevant legislation in detail during a bill’s Committee Stage. Statutory committees advise and assist their department’s minister in […]