Finance

The use of resources in a sustainable manner is considered essential for the long-term viability and effectiveness for delivering public services.

The Northern Ireland Estimates, often referred to as the Main Estimates, set out the detailed spending plans of Northern Ireland departments for the financial year.

Public expenditure is the general term for expenditure incurred by the public sector in the course of its activities.

The budget process sets expenditure plans for the Northern Ireland departments for the forward looking financial years.

The in-year monitoring process provides a formal system for reviewing spending plans and priorities for the Northern Ireland departments in the current financial year in light of the most up-to-date position.

This section includes advice and guidance for Northern Ireland departments and their bodies on the topics listed below.

Public Spending Group (PSG) 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.

Northern Ireland continues to receive support from EU Structural & Investment Funds under EU Cohesion Policy.

This section includes departmental finance and performance information.

A City or Growth Deal is a package of capital funding and decision-making powers negotiated between central Government and local councils.The Department of Finance is responsible for the strategic direction, policy, governance and funding of the City and Growth Deals initiative.

Guidance and a framework for appraising, developing and planning projects and programmes primarily using the Five Case Model to deliver best social value for money; all of which is crucial for a well-prepared business case to support objective, evidence-based decisions.

HM Treasury annually publish Block Grant Transparency documents. This shows a breakdown of changes in the devolved administrations’ block grant funding.

This section contains information on the Annual Pay Remit Guidance and Approvals process.

The Public Service Pensions Policy and Legislation Branch provides guidance on public service pensions policy and legislation for the Northern Ireland public service pension schemes and their sponsor departments.