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Research Matters

A blog from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service
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Research Matters
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Research Matters

Pamela.Dugdale

Image of a blackboard, with the words 'Is prevention better than cure?'

What are the key obstacles to introducing a preventative approach in Northern Ireland?

In recent years ‘Preventative Expenditure‘ (PE) has gained a high level of political consensus. There are many definitions, and this imprecision has resulted in departments sometimes claiming that all of their expenditure is preventative. Generally speaking, PE seeks to reduce public spending by investing early before problems become too severe and expensive to address. Those on the left view it as a way to reduce poverty, while those on the right view it as a way to reduce economic inactivity and ultimately service provision costs. While the idea that ‘prevention is better than cure’ is generally accepted, government’s funding of public services has rarely followed the maxim. Recent reports in the United Kingdom (UK) have identified a number of barriers when governments introduce a preventative approach, some of which are explained here.

Image of a blackboard, with the words 'Is prevention better than cure?'

Read More »What are the key obstacles to introducing a preventative approach in Northern Ireland?

Figure 1: 2015-16 FTC Allocations and Returns

Financial Transactions Capital: What is it, and how can it be used?

Financial Transactions Capital (FTC) is funding allocated to the Executive by the United Kingdom (UK) Government. The Executive has discretion over FTC allocation to projects. However, FTC can be deployed only as a loan to or equity investment in a capital project delivered by a private sector entity (‘private sector’ is defined here using the Office of National Statistics classification and includes charities and universities).

Read More »Financial Transactions Capital: What is it, and how can it be used?

Front cover of the DARD resource accounts for 2014/15

What are Public Sector Annual Reports and Accounts and how can I access them?

Front cover of the DARD resource accounts for 2014/15The purpose of an ‘Annual Report and Accounts’ is to provide information about an entity’s financial position, changes in financial position, financial performance and cash flows. It should be useful to a wide range of users, enabling them to assess the stewardship and accountability of management for the resources entrusted to them.

The majority of public sector bodies in Northern Ireland (NI) operate a financial year which runs from 1 April to 31 March. By summer recess most public sector accounts are audited and laid in the Assembly. From July the public therefore can access a large number of audited public sector accounts on the organisation’s website.

The 2015-16 financial year has seen a number of significant changes to the format and content of Public Sector Annual Reports and Accounts. The following post sets out the reporting requirements for Public Sector Annual reports and Accounts for the 2015-16 year onwards.Read More »What are Public Sector Annual Reports and Accounts and how can I access them?

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