Robinson back efficient delivery of public services

The Finance Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA published details today of spending under direct rule by Northern Ireland Departments in the last financial year (2006-07).

Figures for current expenditure show that total expenditure by Departments last year, amounted to some £7,504.6million, or 98% of the maximum spending possible.

“The level of investment in public services has continued to grow – by some £360million, or more than 2.5% in real terms, compared to 2005-06,” Mr Robinson pointed out.

“However, with the lower growth forecast for public expenditure over the coming years, Northern Ireland must make the best use of all the resources at its disposal to ensure efficient public services are delivered to the taxpayer.”

In addition, for capital investment, the total Northern Ireland expenditure amounted to almost £1billion in 2006-07. Mr Robinson said this maintained the level of investment seen in the previous year, and reflects the higher priority attached to sustainable investment in our public infrastructure:

“In recent years, direct rule Ministers oversaw an increase in the level of investment in public infrastructure. However, I feel we can go much further and, through the development of a new Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, put in place the sort of public infrastructure the citizens of Northern Ireland need and deserve.”

The Minister said that it is inevitable that there will be some level of underspending, as public sector managers have a clear responsibility not to overspend their allocations:

“However, it will be vital,” he commented, “that Ministers in the new Executive maximise the level of future spending by their Departments within the limits allowed and direct resources to those areas of greatest priority and need. In the case of my own Department, I will want to ensure we improve on past performance under direct rule by maintaining a clear focus on delivery, supported by robust financial management across all areas of the Department.”

On the issue of financial management, he referred to a report by external consultants being published today, which was prepared following a review of financial forecasting and monitoring in the Northern Ireland Departments:

“I welcome the report from this study, and have asked my officials to work with Departments to take forward the recommendations in the report. In particular, this will seek to build on the cases of good practice identified, and thus improve the quality of financial management at all levels across Departments,” Mr Robinson added.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. 1. Tables setting out full details of the amounts of spending can be viewed in the ‘News’ section of the Departmental website at: www.dfpni.gov.uk
2. 2. In August 2006, DFP commissioned external consultants PKF to undertake a review of Government Departments’ forecasting and monitoring techniques and the environment in which these where being applied. This was in the general context of a desire to review, and where necessary, improve the overall level of financial management across Northern Ireland Departments.
3. 3. DFP and all Departments are now taking forward the recommendations of the report. A copy of the document is available in the ‘News’ section of the DFP website.