Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 56
Require Treasury to provide guidance on building investment cases for NI funding bids.
Recommendation
Northern Ireland would benefit from being more entrepreneurial in how it bids for funding for public service reform - for example, by linking its bids into wider Government agendas and aims including cross-Departmental working, partnership with the business community and third sector. We recommend that the Treasury work with the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Northern Ireland Office to provide guidance on how such investment cases can be built.
Government Response Summary
The government provided £235 million for public service transformation and notes the NI Executive has established a Public Sector Transformation Board and published its Programme for Government. However, the response does not address the specific recommendation for the Treasury to provide guidance on building investment cases for funding bids.
Paragraph Reference:
56
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government recognises there are very real pressures facing public services in Northern Ireland and it is clear that there is an urgent need for transformation. As a result, the Government is providing £235 million of ring-fenced financial support to the Executive to support the NI Executive in transforming public services. The establishment of a Public Sector Transformation Board will provide an opportunity for innovative collaboration on the biggest challenges facing public services in Northern Ireland, and the Government is confident that the Executive will make the necessary decisions and work towards the improvement of public service outcomes. This Government respects the Good Friday Agreement, and understands that it is for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly to make decisions on public services for the people of Northern Ireland. We will work collaboratively to support them to achieve this while respecting the devolved settlement. Funding is only one part of the answer to transformation and the Executive will need to make some difficult choices in order to live within their budget to support the cost of public service delivery and improve outcomes for citizens. Since the publication of this report in May, the Executive has now published its Programme for Government and has established an Interim Public Sector Transformation Board. The Government looks forward to working collaboratively with NI Ministers to improve public services outcomes in Northern Ireland.