Department for the Economy Board minutes 2025 - 17 December 2025

Helen McCarthy presented.

• The draft Research & Innovation Strategy proposes a centralised, whole-system approach aligning efforts across government, academia, and industry. It delivers on regional commitment to embed science & technology in policymaking. It integrates ecosystems across politics, academia, and industry to drive innovation and growth. It signals global ambition to attract researchers, investors, and talent. This is a strategy for the next 4-5 years.
• Helen discussed the importance of connectivity including weekly meetings with Whitehall departments, monthly NI CSA meetings and monthly devolved administration meetings. She is the DA lead on office for life sciences and a rep in Invest in Women Taskforce.
• She has set up the Office of Science & Technology. R&D KPI Strategy is ready to go live in January and Areas of Research & Interest are to be published next year.
• The R&I Strategy is centred on four strategic pillars and Helen discussed the many elements of these: 1.Embedding R&I across Government; 2.Enabling Innovation-Driven Enterprises; 3.Expanding the Telent Pipeline; and 4.Elevating the Global Profile.
• The Office of AI & Digital has been created and its vision is ‘To create a cross-cutting strategy that gives a framework, signposts to a suite of streamlining tools, convenes a network, enables training and confidence for the ethical adoption of AI & Digital within and across departments.’
• Helen discussed the landscape for far and examples of the AI building blocks in N.I. There is an AI Chairperson in each department and there is an AI taskforce from tomorrow. The Public Sector need a human oversight team from start to finish. A redress mechanism is needed for identifying errors. DPIAs are ongoing. We need to consider if we need to use AI in every situation and if there is a positive impact to citizens by using it.
• N.I. is currently stronger in cyber than AI.
• A lot of work is to be done on cluster leads and the operational travel of Invest NI.
• Infrastructure needs are in the AI strategy – this needs reviewed and a plan devised of the requirements.
• Work needs done on the regulatory environment.
• There are a lot of actions about how to showcase and what is available.
• Subject to Ministerial approval, the Strategy will be released for a nine-week consultation period. Simultaneously, there will be ongoing engagement with stakeholders. Feedback will be incorporated into the Strategy and analysed on AI. The updated Strategy will be submitted to Ministers for approval and subsequently presented to the Executive for their endorsement prior to its formal launch.

Ian Snowden presented.

• Closure of RHI – Committee meeting 14 January.
• Northern Regional College – 1^st accountability meeting last week.
• Written Ministerial statement about Invest NI investments in Israeli supply chain. A policy going forward is being worked through.
• Minister visited China to develop new and strengthen existing economic ties.
• Issues with UK Government funding schemes. Balance of funding has shifted from resource to capital.
• Energy Strategy mid-term review published tomorrow.
• Airbus and Boeing acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems.
• Grid connection cost policy announced. Positively received by stakeholders.
• Announcement on 14 January, 1 year on from Magee Expansion Programme. Gateway review helpful.
• Minister announced a new licensing agreement which will see the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand used in Fermanagh for the first time.
• Fibrus have been appointed to deliver Project Gigabit.

(name redacted) presented.

• Work has been ongoing to review the Corporate Risk Appetite. A new draft Risk Appetite now reflects the broad departmental desired appetite to be more open and less averse. As a result, almost all categories of risk now fall between open and hungry.
• Workshops have been held and there has been SMT engagement. Issues were raised re a comms piece and processes.
• The Board approved the revised Corporate Risk Appetite Statement.

Johanna Park presented.

• In year budget balanced. Overall good position.
• £1.4m overcommitment on salaries, but this is not an issue due to vacancies.
• RDEL easements at December Monitoring – salaries, regional growth funds and electricity price guarantee – the latter 2 will create pressures next year.
• Inescapable pressures and high priority bids funded. FE Colleges will be able to do Winter Warmer this year.
• Capital gap of £5m but have secured £13m from Executive which will be used.
• Keeping a close eye on spend to the end of year and working with business areas with demand led schemes.
• All accruals being questioned and evidence requested.
• 1^st year of 3-year budget is concerning.
• Engaging with Treasury and awaiting confirmation re student loans DEL.

Shane Murphy presented.

• Moving forward on prioritising staffing within DfE.
• Moritorium on temporary promotions and permanent transfer opportunities with only highest priority to Leadership to sanction.
• Following an exercise are considering new system to migrate staff to highest priority areas with biggest pressures.
• Some activities matched between business areas could be joined up.
• Options could include using the Energy DP list to provide supply to other posts within DfE that have an Energy angle.
• Some targets have already slipped due to under resourcing.
• Needs discussion with Minister including consideration of pausing, setting aside or sequencing work. The legislative programme also needs considered.

ARAC Minutes 24 & 29 October 

• Recommended final sign off of the 2024/25 accounts.
• Main items related to the Northern Regional College, student loans and accruals.

Mid-year Health & Safety Report

• Nothing to highlight on anything including incidents or training compliance.

• Fiona Keenan’s term as Non-Executive Board Member ends 15/3/26. Louise Skelly joins 12/1/26.