Strategic Policy and Reform
Strategic Policy and Reform Structure
SPaR is responsible for strategic economic, finance, taxation and climate policy within the Department of Finance (DoF), alongside enabling the transformation and reform of public services.
SPaR aims to:
- Provide analysis and advice on relevant economic policy matters.
- Provide advice and guidance on the Executive’s pay policy.
- Developing policy and supporting the Finance Minister and Executive in negotiating a final fiscal framework for Northern Ireland.
- Negotiate a long-term settlement with the Government on Northern Ireland’s level of need and funding formula.
- Oversee the delivery of the flagship EU/UK PEACE PLUS programme and lead cross-departmental engagement on EU replacement funding and UKG Levelling Up funding streams.
- Lead the Department’s response to the Windsor Framework and regulatory divergence issues.
- Lead the Department’s response to the NI Climate Change Act and UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
- Provide a range of professional consultancy, innovation and library services to support public sector reform.
- Co-ordinate, lead and engage on the development of an approach to public service transformation.
Structure
Strategic Policy and Reform Directorate consists of five Divisions:
Climate and Covid Inquiry Division (CCID)
Climate and Covid Inquiry Division (CCID) is responsible for leading, supporting and coordinating the departmental input to the Green Growth agenda and Climate Action Plan. CCID also leads on the departmental response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, ensuring the Department meets its statutory responsibilities in responding to the UK wide Covid- 9 Inquiry. In addition, CCID has a role in developing the policy directions to ensure the effective allocation of dormant funds. Further information on CCID can be found at the below link.
Fiscal Policy Division (FPD)
Fiscal Policy Division has a remit in developing analysis, research and policy on fiscal matters relevant to the Department of Finance. This includes supporting the Finance Minister and wider Executive in the implementation of the Interim Fiscal Framework, alongside negotiating for a wider Fiscal Framework for Northern Ireland.
FPD also supports the Finance Minister on Northern Ireland’s future funding arrangements, with a focus on assessing Northern Ireland’s relative need, and agreeing a new relative funding per head methodology.
Further responsibilities include providing evidence and analysis on the potential devolution of additional fiscal powers, and developing and implementing the £235 million Transformation Fund, to act as a catalyst for the wider transformation of public service delivery. Further information on FPD can be found at the below link.
Innovation and Consultancy Services (ICS)
Innovation and Consultancy Services (ICS) provide a range of professional consultancy and innovation services to the public sector, previously delivered separately by Business Consultancy Services (BCS) and the Innovation Lab. It also covers the NICS Library Service. Further information on ICS can be found at the below link.
Strategic Funding Division (SFD)
SFD has a wide remit on funding policy and EU exit matters including the development and delivery of the flagship EU/UK PEACE PLUS programme, the implementation of EU Structural & Investment Fund Programmes relating to NI and joint sponsorship (with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan, Delivery and Reform, Dublin) of the Special EU Programmes Body. It also leads on cross-departmental engagement on EU replacement funding and EU replacement funding, UKG Levelling Up, Local Growth and other emerging funding streams. SFD also managing divergence including the response to the Retained EU Law Bill and aspects of the Protocol and Windsor Framework. Further information on SFD can be found at the below.
Strategic Policy Division (SPD)
SPD provides economic policy briefing, research, analysis and advice to key stakeholders. The Division is the sponsor body for the independent Fiscal Council and is also responsible for the management and development of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Economist Group.
Further information on SPD can be found at the below link.