Next Steps Agencies (Hansard, 21 June 1996)

§ Sir John Wheeler

It is expected that there will be 24 next steps agencies in Northern Ireland by the end of 1996. A list of the existing and anticipated agencies and their functions is set out.

Further and more detailed information about existing agencies can be found in the respective corporate and business plans which are published documents, copies of which are in the Library.

Compensation Agency Function: Administration of three statutory compensation schemes; the criminal injuries compensation scheme, the criminal damage compensation scheme and the emergency provision compensation scheme.

Construction Service Function: Design, construction, maintenance management, environmental quality and safety standards of work undertaken for Government Departments, agencies and other public bodies.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing (Northern Ireland) Function: Issue of driving licences; registration and licensing of vehicles in Northern Ireland and collection and enforcement of vehicle excise duty.

Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency Function: Examines vehicles to make sure they are roadworthy, conducts driving tests and approves registration of new driving instructors.

Environment and Heritage Service Function: Protection and conservation of the natural and built environment.

Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland Function: Provision of effective scientific advice and support to enhance the delivery of justice.

Government Purchasing Agency (GPA) Function: Provision of a professional procurement service.

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Health Estates Function: Provision of policy advice, guidance and support on estate matters to bodies responsible for the health and personal social service estate in Northern Ireland.

Industrial Research and Technology Unit Function: Promotion of industrial research, development and technology transfer in Northern Ireland.

Land Registers of Northern Ireland Function: Records details of legal rights to land, provides information for land and property conveyancing and has a judicial role in resolving disputes about registered land.

Northern Ireland Child Support Agency Function: Operation of the system created by the Child Support Act 1991 in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Prison Service Function: To serve and protect the community by holding in secure and humane confinement persons given into custody by the courts and by encouraging offenders to address their offending behaviour.

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) Function: Provision of a statistical and research service.

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland Function: Is responsible for producing maps and related information services which are used in paper and computer form by public bodies, companies and private individuals.

Planning Service Function: Prepares development plans, decides planning applications and provides a property certificate service for people involved in conveyancing.

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Function: Identification and preservation of Northern Ireland's archival heritage.

Rate Collection Agency Function: Collection of rates and administration of the housing benefit scheme for owner-occupiers.

Roads Service Function: Provision and maintenance of the road network throughout Northern Ireland.

Social Security Agency (Northern Ireland) Function: Administration of social security benefits, national insurance contributions and other health and welfare-related functions.

Training and Employment Agency (Northern Ireland) Function: Administration of employment and training services in Northern Ireland.

Valuation and Lands Agency Function: Maintenance of the valuation list for rating purposes in Northern Ireland.

Water Service Function: Provision of water and sewerage service in Northern Ireland.

AGENCIES PREPARING FOR LAUNCH DURING 1996

Watercourse Management Function: Provision of services dealing with flood protection, river drainage and navigation on certain inland waterways.

Business Development Services Function: Provision of business support services to Government Departments.