Department for the Economy Board minutes 2022 - 29 September 2022

The Board meeting was held at InterTradeIreland, Newry. Chief Executive Margaret Hearty, Chair Richard Kennedy and Director of Strategy Martin Robinson presented.

A number of areas were discussed:

• Introduction to InterTradeIreland.
• 20+ years supporting cross-border trade and business development.
• Regional & sectoral spread 2021.
• An agile & responsive organisation.
• Role & focus.
• Growing exports.
• Case studies.
• Innovation & entrepreneurship development.
• Business to business cross-border collaborative innovation.
• Co-innovate collaborative innovation.
• Future Direction.
• Contributing to the 10x economy.
• Role in delivering a 10x economy.
• Barriers.

No new interests declared.

Agreed without amendment.

A number of areas were discussed:

• Energy Schemes

Current position with the £400 payment, heating oil, energy price guarantee and non-domestic business.

• Legislative requirements. Administrative resource implications
• DfE have observer status.

• NICS/ Public Sector Position Post 28/10/22

Possible scenarios were discussed.

• NICS Budget Position

DoF Permanent Secretary has written to HOCS advising of current budget position including a large NICS overspend.

• DfE is in the best position of all Departments.

Sharon Hetherington presented:

• Internal DfE budget exercise has been launched.
• Minister has been advised of £17m unallocated funding. Current energy forecast needs reflected on which may increase this.
• Capital overcommitment of £5m.
• City Deals forecast reduced to £3m.
• Preparations are being made for next year’s budget.

Richard Rodgers presented:

• There is now a greater context for the need to accelerate delivery of energy decarbonisation.
• Delivery of self-sufficiency and affordable renewable energy.
• Fair prices.
• Regulated energy sector for all energy.
• Storage in batteries and gas caverns.
• Long-term storage through green hydrogen.
• Security of supply.

10x Update

• The Board agreed the draft objectives outlined for inclusion, innovation and net zero.
• The Department will need to focus existing resources in 2023/24 on initiatives that meet these objectives.

HR Update

• The merit list for the DP competition is now expected mid-Nov.
• 20 SO vacancies to be filled from general list, 12 NICS or agency workers already working in DfE.
• Succession planning – age profile for DfE is high, particularly at senior level.
• The graduate fast stream programme is up and running.

Post Project Evaluation Update

• A total of 5 PPEs remain overdue.
• There has been a 50% increase in compliance with PPEs completed on time.
• It was felt it is no longer necessary for PPEs to be a Board agenda item. AP: A formal request to be made to remove from Board agenda going forward.

Audit & Risk Committee Minutes 26/8/22

• No questions.

Taking Forward Emerging EU Legislation

• The Board registered concern about this for Departmental business going forward.

Alan Russell

Board members convened a Programme Board meeting for the rest of the available time.

There was no AOB.