CAIN: Issues: Policy: Public Adminsitration in Northern Ireland

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Policy - Public Adminsitration in Northern Ireland

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Introduction

A review of local government and the administration of public services in Northern Ireland was launched on 24 June 2002. The review had been part of the Northern Ireland Executive�s Programme for Government. However the devolved institutions were suspended at midnight on Monday 14 October 2002 and the running of the various Northern Ireland Departments was taken over by Northern Ireland Office (NIO) ministers. These NIO ministers pressed ahead with the plans for the review of public administration in the region using the following as a guide:

"The Executive remains committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of and accountability for, the administration and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland. We recognise the need for different structures under devolution, taking account of new relationships between local and regional government, as well as the full range of other bodies that function within the wider public sector. We are committed to a comprehensive and strategic review of all aspects of the public sector."
Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government (para 7.5)

On 22 November 2005 Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and other NIO minsters announced the outcome of the review process in a series of statements. In the case of local government the main recommendation was for a reduction in the number of district councils from 26 to 7. There were also recommendations for a single education and library board and a single health board.

On 21 March 2006 Peter Hain announced further changes to public administration in Northern Ireland. He detailed proposals for dealing with the remaining Executive Agencies and Public Bodies.

Statements and other materials on the Review of Public Administration:

Hain, Peter. (2006) Statement by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the possible consequences of the Review of Public Administration on the structure of Nothern Ireland Government Departments, (18 July 2006). Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Hain, Peter. (2005) Speech by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the outcome of the Review of Public Administration, (22 November 2005), [PDF; 33KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Hain, Peter. (2005) Statement by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the outcome of the Review of Public Administration, (22 November 2005), [PDF; 72KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Rooker, Jeff. (2005) Speech by Jeff Rooker, then Minister of State at the NIO, on Reform of Local Government - Outcome of Review of Public Administration, (22 November 2005), [PDF; 66KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Northern Ireland Office (NIO). (2005) Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland: An Updated Consideration of Equality, Social Need, Good Relations, Human Rights and Rural Issues, (November 2005), [PDF; 653KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Hain, Peter. (200) Written Statement by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the Review of Public Administration, (21 March 2006), [PDF; 34KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Hain, Peter. (2006) Speech by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the Review of Public Administration - Quangos Announcement, (21 March 2006), [PDF; 34KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Northern Ireland Office (NIO). (2006) Better Government for Northern Ireland: Final Decisions of the Review of Public Administration, (21 March 2006), [PDF; 452KB]. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Web Sites

Review of Public Administration website:
http://www.rpani.gov.uk/