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 role in bringing forward the recurring Budget Bills that authorise government spending:
- Budget Bill (2024) — passed, Royal Assent
- Budget (No. 2) Bill (2024) — passed, Royal Assent
- Budget Bill (2025) — passed, Royal Assent
- Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill — passed, Royal Assent
- Budget (No. 2) Bill (2025) — passed, Royal Assent
- Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill — Final Stage
- Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill — Final Stage
- Budget Bill (2026) — passed, Royal Assent
- Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill — Committee Stage
Its legislation is scrutinised by the Committee for Finance.
Data sources
Ministerial and bill-stage data are drawn from the NI Assembly’s official records, kept up to date by the weekly Assembly sync.
See the department’s full profile, remit and official links at mlas.news/department/finance/.