Ó Muilleoir: Resourcing of public services will continue

Finance Minister, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: “As Finance Minister, I will remain in office until an election. I am meeting daily with officials to take stock and minimise disruption during this political impasse. I can assure the public that resourcing of public services will continue despite the crisis.

“Indeed, the 1998 NI Act sets out clear processes which are  ‘safety nets’  to ensure public services will continue to be funded.

"Under the NI Act 1998 (Section 59) if a budget is not agreed at least three working days before the end of the financial year (29 March 2017), the Permanent Secretary of the Finance Department may effectively set departmental allocations at 75% of the previous year’s allocation. If a budget is not agreed by the end of July, the Permanent Secretary can effectively set allocations of up to 95% of the previous year’s budget.

“There undoubtedly will be genuine fears but the public can be assured that I am alert to all the challenges ahead. Moreover, I have every confidence that my officials in the time ahead will do everything possible to ensure public services are adequately funded." 

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