Public Spending Directorate (PSD)

Public Spending Directorate (PSD) is responsible for maximising the resources available to Northern Ireland, advising on their allocation and ensuring the effective use of available resources through allocating and monitoring public expenditure, in line with the priorities set in the draft Programme for Government (PfG), as well as setting the ground rules for the administration and use of public funds.

Aims and objectives

PSD aims to:

  • support the Minister and the Executive in securing the allocation and effective use of available resources through monitoring public expenditure, in line with the priorities set by the Executive
  • support decisions on the management of public expenditure, maximise the achievement of VFM and promote accountability
  • promote proper governance and financial management and to ensure resources are properly accounted for
  • deliver high quality, efficient and effective services to the citizen, NICS Departments and the wider public sector

Structure

Public Spending Directorate consists of three divisions:

Central Expenditure Division (CED)

CED is responsible for the planning and management of public expenditure in Northern Ireland. This includes the Budget process, the in-year monitoring process, outturn and forecast outturn, management of borrowing under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, liaison with HM Treasury and the provision of guidance on technical budget and classification issues.

Supply

Supply Division is responsible for making recommendations on the optimum distribution of resources to NI programmes to ensure that NI departments spend money for the purposes set out in the draft Programme for Government, whilst adhering to high standards of financial management and securing value for money.

Accountability and Financial Management Division (AFMD)

Provide advice and guidance to departments and their sponsored bodies on accounting, accountability, corporate governance, anti-fraud and internal audit policy, financial skills and tax compliance; oversee the Public Audit process; manage the NI Consolidated Fund and maintain appropriate banking arrangements across the NICS.

The PSD management team

  • Joanne McBurney (Budget Director) - Head of Directorate
  • Jeff McGuinness - Head of Central Expenditure Division
  • Barry Armstrong and Patrick Neeson - Heads of Supply Division
  • Stuart Stevenson (Treasury Officer of Accounts) -  Head of Accountability and Financial Management Division 

PSD business priorities

PSD is committed to making a difference to how we deliver our services and we strive to ensure that our services meet the needs and expectations of all our key stakeholders and customers.

Our business priorities focus on four key areas:

Our results

  • to support the Minister and the Executive in the securing, allocation and effective use of available resources
  • to maintain a framework of guiding principles and delegations which support decisions on the management of public expenditure, maximise the achievement of VFM and promote accountability
  • to promote proper governance and financial management and to ensure resources are properly accounted for

Our customers

  • to provide an efficient and effective service to the Minister, the Executive and the Assembly
  • to deliver high quality, efficient and effective services to the citizen, NICS Departments, HMT and the wider public sector

Our internal processes

  • to manage the resources available to PSD efficiently and effectively and deliver required savings
  • to translate the DoF strategic vision into operational delivery at all levels by creating linkages between Departmental, Directorate and Divisional BSCs

Our organisation and people

  • support the delivery of PSD business objectives and the NICS People Plan through the effective deployment, management, engagement and development of our people whilst continuing to embed a culture of continuous improvement
  • continue to develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement

Vision values

In achieving the overall objectives of the Directorate, the working practices of PSD are guided by the Departmental CLEAR Values: 

  • Customer - PSD is focused on delivering a high quality service
  • Leadership - PSD’s senior management are strong leaders, with clear direction
  • Ethical - PSD deliver an honest, fair, and equal environment for all its staff and customers
  • Accountable - PSD is fully accountable to the Minister, the NI Assembly, to citizens and their representatives for the efficient and effective use of resources and delivery of services
  • Results - PSD work continuously to achieve our objectives in order that all targets are delivered efficiently

Contact PSD

Business area contacts for PSD.

How to make a complaint

If you wish to make a complaint you can contact our Business Area Complaints Manager (BACM) using the details below and your complaint will be forwarded to the appropriate business area:

Christine Mills
Department of Finance 
Public Spending Directorate (PSD)
Clare House
Airport Road West
BELFAST
BT3 9ED

 

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