Invest NI and SIB Collaboration
RHI Inquiry · The Report of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme · Issued 13 March 2020 · Addressed to: Northern Ireland Executive
Government responseNorthern Ireland Executive: Accepted (Oct 2021)
DeliveryDepartment of Finance says in progress (Mar 2024)
Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
The leaders of the Northern Ireland Civil Service should work with Invest Northern Ireland and the Strategic Investment Board to consider how both organisations can better contribute their expertise to the work of mainstream Departments, particularly in relation to good practice on implementation of programmes and project management. This could for example include providing advice at the early stages of policy development; 'tyrekicking' and challenge; and joint training and job exchange schemes.
RHI Inquiry, The Report of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme · 13 Mar 2020 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
AI-generated evidence summary
In March 2024, the Department of Finance reported that work was in progress, stating that Commercial Case Peer Reviews had been established using expertise from bodies including the Strategic Investment Board and that guidance instructed departments to engage the board early for specialist resources (Department of Finance, Mar 2024). In October 2024, the Northern Ireland Audit Office found that the recommendation had been implemented (Northern Ireland Audit Office, Oct 2024).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026.
Government response
●Northern Ireland Executive · Accepted · 7 Oct 2021
These recommendations can be accepted in full.
They have been addressed in work to date through:
• strengthening of policy and guidance relating to project delivery;
• work to establish the new NICS Project Delivery Profession;
• accredited practitioner-level training in the Management of Risk methodology, available via NICSHR Learning & Development;
• amendment to the Treasury Orange Book (Risk Management);
• the Review of Business Case and Expenditure Approval processes;
• agreement by the NICS Board on the principles and procedures for use of SIB.
Further work is required to:
• Establish the NICS Project Delivery Profession
• Ensure that all Departments have in place a P3O Office, as set out in DAO 02/20
• Bring forward proposals for the implementation of Portfolio Management
• Implement the IPA’s ‘Get to Green’ refresh of GatewayTM and wider Assurance Reviews
• reform behaviours and culture to ensure a greater focus on risk management;
• improve the way in which departments work with Invest NI and SIB, ensuring that that partnership dovetails with GatewayTM and existing guidance on the obligations of the SRO;
• improve the reporting of risks to Ministers;
• develop cross-departmental collaboration and coordination through the PfG outcomes-based approach and the promotion of collaborative behaviours;
• ensure senior ownership of governance arrangements with third parties.
Response document: Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan: Annex A Summary of Recommendations and Response
Delivery
●Department of Finance says in progress · 14 Mar 2024
The use of Commercial Case Peer Reviews has been established.
A list of Commercial Case Peer Reviewers has been established with expertise from the following areas; Construction, Infrastructure, Project Delivery, Commercial and Procurement.
Over the last 6 months Commercial Case Peer Reviews have been carried out on two Major Projects.
Expertise for these Peer Reviews was drawn from CPD, Cabinet Office, DfI, DfC and SIB.
Reviewers were selected from participants who had completed the Cabinet Office Assessment and Development Centre and had appropriate project delivery experience.
DAO (02/20) makes clear that if external professional or other specialist external resources are required, the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) should be engaged at an early stage of the project or programme to identify the availability of appropriate resources.
From: Implementation of the Recommendations of the RHI Inquiry (publication page for three documents)
Earlier statements on delivery (0)
●Department of Finance · 1 Sep 2023
The use of Commercial Case Peer Reviews has been established.
A list of Commercial Case Peer Reviewers has been established with expertise from the following areas; Construction, Infrastructure, Project Delivery, Commercial and Procurement.
Over the last 6 months Commercial Case Peer Reviews have been carried out on two Major Projects.
Expertise for these Peer Reviews was drawn from CPD, Cabinet Office, DfI, DfC and SIB.
Reviewers were selected from participants who had completed the Cabinet Office Assessment and Development Centre and had appropriate project delivery experience.
DAO (02/20) makes clear that if external professional or other specialist external resources are required, the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) should be engaged at an early stage of the project or programme to identify the availability of appropriate resources.
From: Implementation of the Recommendations of the RHI Inquiry (publication page for three documents)
What other bodies have found
●NI Audit Office · 15 Oct 2024
Implemented.
How this page is built
The recommendation and the government responses are verbatim from primary documents. Delivery statements and other bodies' findings are shown in their own words, each with its source. The summary is written by this site and labelled as such. The Index does not paraphrase sources or characterise intent; it records what has been published.