The head of Northern Ireland’s Public Service has urged members of all political parties in the Province to meet her to discuss Budget issues and the “governance gap”.
Jayne Brady said the United Kingdom-imposed Budget settlement for Northern Ireland “will inevitably cause enduring harm to public service delivery, society and the economy”.
Northern Ireland Secretary at Westminster, Chris Heaton-Harris recently set a Budget for the Province in the absence of a functioning Government at Stormont.
Several Departments have since warned they are facing significant monetary challenges.
In her letter to party leaders, Dr Brady (pictured) said the Budget situation remained “extremely challenging”.
“It remains the collective view of myself and Permanent Secretary colleagues that the Budget outcome will inevitably cause enduring harm to public service delivery, society and the economy,” Dr Brady said.
“The Budget challenge is compounded by a governance gap.”
She said draft guidance issued by Mr Heaton-Harris did not materially change the limitations on Public Servants to make decisions on funding issues.
“For some Departments, remaining within Budget allocations would require decisions which cannot be taken in the absence of Ministers,” she said.
“This leaves the relevant accounting officers in the invidious position of having no lawful means to ensure full compliance with the duty to remain within Budget limits.”
However, Dr Brady admitted that even if an Executive were to be re-established, it is “highly likely that the financial position would remain very challenging”.
Belfast, 22 May, 2023
