Northern Ireland Official Publications Archive
at Queen's University Belfast
Current Ministerial Departments
Agencies and Other Associated Bodies
Department for Communities
From 9th May 2016 The Department for Communities encompasses; the functions of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, including the Public Records Office Northern Ireland (but excluding Inland Fisheries and Waterways); Employment Service from the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL); Local Government from the Department of the Environment, including Built Heritage from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Debt Advice from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI); Financial Capability Strategy from DETI and Economic Activity Strategy for DEL.
Department for Infrastructure
From 9th May 2016 the Department for Infrastructure encompasses: the functions of the former Department for Regional Development, vehicle regulation, road safety & Driver and Vehicle Agency functions from the Department of the Environment (DOE); Strategic planning from DOE; Rivers Agency from the Department of Africulture and Rural Development; Inland Waterways from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure; Crumlin Road Gaol Programme-Project from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM); St Lucia (ex-Ministry of Defence site) from OFMDFM.
Department for the Economy
From May 2016 the Department for the Economy encompasses; the functions of the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; the functions of the former Department of Employment and Learning with the exception of the Employment Service.
Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs
From 9th May 2016, the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs encompasses: the functions of the former Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, excluding the Rivers Agency; the environmental functions from the former Department of the Environment (DOE); Inland Fisheries from the former Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; responsibility for sustainable strategy. The environmental functions that transferred from DOE included regulation, but excluded the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's built heritage function.
Department of Education
The Department of Education is a devolved department in the Northern Ireland Executive. The minister with overall responsibility for the department is the Minister of Education. The Department’s primary statutory duty is to promote the education of the people of Northern Ireland and to ensure the effective implementation of education policy. The Department’s main statutory areas of responsibility are 0-4 provision, primary, post-primary and special education and the youth service.
Department of Finance
Before 9th May 2016 the Department of Finance was known as known as the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Department of Health
Before 9th May 2016 the Department of Health was known as the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Department of Justice
The Department of Justice was established in April 2010, following the devolution of justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Northern Ireland Executive
The Northern Ireland Executive is made up of the First Minister, Deputy First Minister, two Junior Ministers and eight departmental Ministers. The Executive Committee exercises executive authority on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and takes decisions on significant issues and matters which cut across the responsibility of two or more Ministers. It also agrees proposals put forward by Ministers for new legislation in the form of ‘Executive Bills’ for consideration by the Assembly. It is also responsible for drawing up a programme for government and an agreed budget for approval by the Assembly.
The Executive Office
From 9th May The Executive Office encompasses some of the functions of the former Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister plus the Strategic Policy and Innovation Unit.