Northern Ireland Government Departments

NI Government Departments and their Responsibilities

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
www.dardni.gov.uk

DARD is responsible for the development of the agricultural, forestry and fishing industries in Northern Ireland, rural development in Northern Ireland, providing an advisory service for farmers, agricultural research and education, providing a veterinary service and administration of animal health and welfare policies, and the application of EU agricultural policy to Northern Ireland.

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
www.dcalni.gov.uk

DCAL is responsible in Northern Ireland for arts and creativity, museums, libraries, sport and leisure, visitor amenities, inland waterways and inland fisheries, Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, language diversity and the Northern Ireland Events Company.

Department of Education
www.deni.gov.uk

DE is responsible for the central administration of all aspects of education and related services in Northern Ireland (excepting the higher and further education sector). The main areas of responsibility are in pre-school, primary, post-primary and special education, the youth service, the promotion of community relations within and between schools, and teacher education and salaries.

Department of the Environment
www.doeni.gov.uk

DoE is responsible for protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations, providing land use planning which balances the development needs of the region with the protection of the environment, improving and promoting road safety and ensuring the proper regulation of drivers, vehicles and operators, and supporting a system of local government which meets the needs of citizens and ratepayers.

Department for Employment and Learning
www.delni.gov.uk

DEL is responsible for third level education, training and a range of employment measures, all aimed at giving people the skills, knowledge and opportunities to work.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
www.detini.gov.uk

DETI is responsible for economic policy development, energy, tourism, mineral development, health and safety at work, Companies Registry, Insolvency Service, consumer affairs, labour market and economic statistics services. It also has a role in ensuring the provision of the infrastructure for a modern economy.

Department of Finance and Personnel
www.dfpni.gov.uk

DFP and its Agencies are responsible for a variety of functions, many of which are carried out centrally on behalf of the Civil Service as a whole. These include Business Development Service, Central Finance Group, Central Personnel Group, Central Procurement Directorate, Corporate Services Group, Departmental Solicitors’ Office, Land Registers of NI, NI Statistics and Research Agency, Office of Law Reform, Rates Collection Agency and Valuation and Lands Agency.

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

DHSSPS is responsible for Health and Personal Social Services, which includes policy and legislation for hospitals, family practitioner services, community health and personal social services; Public Health, which covers responsibility for policy and legislation to promote and protect the health and well-being of the population; and Public Safety, whichencompasses responsibility for the policy and legislation for the Fire Authority, food safety and emergency planning.

Department for Regional Development
www.drdni.gov.uk

DRD is responsible for strategic planning, transportation strategy, ports and public transport, roads and water policy, providing and maintaining roads, and providing and maintaining water and sewerage services.

Department for Social Development
www.dsdni.gov.uk

DSD is responsible for urban regeneration, community and voluntary sector development, social legislation, housing, social security benefits, pensions and child support. The vast majority of its staff are employed in the Social Security Agency and Child Support Agency, and the Department’s NDPBs include the NI Housing Executive.

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk

OFMDFM is responsible for supporting Ministers and the institutions of government, building a programme for government and modernising government programme, promoting better community relations, a culture of equality and rights, and targeting social need and promoting social inclusion.

Northern Ireland Office
www.nio.gov.uk

The NIO has responsibility for Northern Ireland’s constitutional and security issues, in particular, law and order, political affairs, policing and criminal justice. Its agencies include the Compensations Agency for NI, and the Youth Justice Agency.