Consultation for primary legislation to resolve issues in regard to the Department for the Economy’s financial powers.

Overview

The Department for the Economy (DfE) proposes some clauses via primary legislation (a ‘Financial Provisions Bill’) to resolve issues in regard to some of the Department’s financial powers. 

Financial Provisions Bills are brought forward from time to time in relation to routine financial matters and technical and non-controversial issues that would not routinely require primary legislation.  This legislation is expected to be included as DfE provisions within possible future legislation to be led by the Department of Finance.  The detail of the wording of the legislation, and timing, remains to be finalised and approved by the Executive.

DfE has identified the following financial issues that it proposes to resolve via primary legislation:

1. 1. DfE’s power to provide financial assistance where it is likely to be in the interest of the economy;
   2. DfE’s power to exempt or remit certain fees in exceptional circumstances for Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI), for TNI to have the flexibility to introduce new fees where appropriate, and to extend TNI’s existing ability to grade or classify certified tourist establishments to also include tourist amenities;
   3. DfE’s power to form companies;
   4. Updating of section 1 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950, as amended by The Employment and Training (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (legislation.gov.uk); 
   5. the handling of smaller Departmental accounts (i.e. possible absorption within the main Departmental accounts).

These issues in many cases flow from recommendations of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

DfE is consulting at present as a preparatory step on the measures that are within our remit. We have outlined the issues and how they might be resolved in the document on the next page, and we welcome your views.

This is an 8 week consultation.  A virtual information session will be held on 25 June from 10:00am to 11:00am and will include an opportunity for you to ask questions.

The deadline for responses is 17.00h on 1 August 2024.  If you have any questions about this consultation, please contact us directly at financialprovisions@economy-ni.gov.uk.