Department of Finance and Personnel (Hansard, 17 March 1993)

§ Mr. Mates

The Department of Finance and Personnel came into being in 1982 on the merger of functions of the former Departments of the Civil Service and Finance. The main aims of DFP are to deploy and manage the financial resources allocated to Northern Ireland; to give guidance and advice on personnel policy and practice within the Northern Ireland civil service; and to carry out the Government's public sector reform initiatives, in particular the citizens charter.

DFP is responsible for the presentation of Northern Ireland estimates to Parliament and monitoring public expenditure throughout the year. Public expenditure under the control of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has increased from £2,489 million in 1979–80 to £7,092 million in 1992–93, an increase in real terms of 18 per cent.

The Department is also responsible for the regional rate. DFP co-ordinates EC structural fund assistance to Northern Ireland. The region continues to be recognised as having objective 1 status within the European Community and DFP is currently preparing a submission for the use of structural funds for the period 1994–99.

In relation to Northern Ireland civil service personnel policy and practice, DFP continues to promote equality of opportunity in accordance with fair employment legislation and the 1984 Northern Ireland civil service equal opportunities policy statement. Goals for increasing the representation of Roman Catholics—25 per cent. by 1996—and women—10 per cent. by 1998—at grades 5 and above have recently been announced.

Following the Chancellor's statement in July 1991, new long-term pay agreements have been put in place for all non-industrial staff with increasing emphasis on performance pay. DFP has also prepared draft legislation corresponding to the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992 which will allow greater delegation of personnel functions to NI Departments and agencies.

In 1991, a unit was set up in DFP to co-ordinate implementation of the citizens charter in NI. Apart from the main NI charter, eight other charters have been published and DFP has a continuing role to monitor performace against published standards.

DFP co-ordinates and takes forward the Government's market-testing programme and its plans for the establishment of executive agencies in Northern Ireland. In 1991, DFP market tested its mainframe computer bureau service and awarded a contract to a private sector facilities management company to which 110 civil servants transferred. Six executive agencies have already been created with a further three to be launched in April 1993. These account for some 9,000—30 per cent. of total—NI civil servants. DFP's first agency—the Valuation and Lands Agency—is due to be launched this year.

The Government Purchasing Service, formerly the Central Unit on Purchasing (NI), operates within DFP and performs a purchasing advisory and monitoring function. In 1991–92 the unit assisted Departments to achieve new value for money savings of £8.2 million on a total spend of £270 million. DFP maintains an up-to-date valuation list for Northern Ireland and provides a comprehensive property advice and agency service to the public sector.