Department for the Economy Board minutes 2026 - 30 September 2026

Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds introduced himself and (name redacted), Director of Policy and Standards. Pol presented:

• He has been in post since November 2025. He has 8 staff, 3 of whom are seconded and 3 agency. A first full-time member of staff was recruited in August. A freeze on further recruitment in 26/27 is an issue. They are based in Equality House. The sponsor Department is TEO.
• There are budgetary limitations but are moving ahead with their current year work plan. There is an emphasis on participation and engagement and they have met with Ministers, local political parties and public authorities.
• They organised a minority languages conference in the summer which was directed at sharing information, concerns and budgetary requirements. They draw on the experience of Wales and Scotland.
• Their main focus is to develop best practice standards which are currently being drafted. Ulster University were commissioned to provide research and recommendations, this is complete. A 3-month consultation is hoped to take place in December following which a document will be passed to OFM/DFM. A Q1 27/28 publication is expected. As with the process in Wales, complaints are expected with more staff to administer a complaints function likely needed. Standards will require more Irish to be seen and heard. They are a set of minimum standards that must be adhered to by public authorities. They will be reviewed every 5 years but after 3 years in the first instance.
• The overarching aim is to provide official status to the Irish language.
• Pol asked for an update of the Department’s Irish language policy and noted that we are ahead of the pack on this.
• He noted that this work should have been progressed 25 years ago as a result of the European Charter. It was not progressed in a meaningful way.
• He discussed the placenames project. He has met with QUB on their policy and is keen to support. Best practice is in Wales. He supports replacing signs when they need to be replaced to be efficient with money.
• He is interested to see results of the economic impact in NI. There is a working group on research.
• The Fleadh has been of massive benefit and he would be keen to hear of the economic impact when figures are available.
• (name redacted) advised of a tender for apprenticeships programme and it was good to have the Irish language as part of the tender process going forward. It is important that there is a pipeline of skills with the Irish language and that the Irish language is a skill on its own.
• Pol recommends that organisations conduct an audit of Irish language skills.
• They are developing a tool kit and guidance for when best practice and standards are published and exploring training on LINKS.
• Current Irish language course provision at QUB was discussed, together with the university’s ongoing work to develop future provision.
• The length of time taken for turnaround of translation services is an issue.
• Throughout the presentation and discussion Pol made clear his willingness to provide guidance and support.

Minutes of the 26^th August meeting were agreed without amendment. 

Action point 1 – Discussion needed with (name redacted) about the content of the Major Projects paper going forward – in progress. 

Public Accounts Committee Meeting – Northern Regional College

Janis Scallon updated

• The Permanent Secretary and Sharon Hetherington represented the Department with NRC represented by the Interim Chair and Principal/Chief Exec.
• The PAC focused on the Department’s oversight arrangements and whether escalation had been timely. The Committee also raised issues concerning the sustainability of College finances and the capacity of the College’s finance team. They sought assurances on measures being taken to prevent similar issues recurring at NRC or elsewhere in the FE sector.
• Perm Sec advised that lessons have been learned. The Department continues with enhanced oversight arrangement (monthly stocktakes and quarterly accountability meetings). (These are annual for other colleges.)
• NRC’s GB is now quorate with 6 new GB members appointed in September. A recovery plan was agreed in June, is being implemented and includes all Ernst Young recommendations. It is expected to take approximately 3 years to be out of disclaimed position. Current positive position re HOT review is an early indication of improvement. Perm Sec has been clear that he would wish to see full cycle of clean accounts before solid improvement could be evidenced.

Executive Budget

Shane Murphy updated

• There has been an offer from UKG of some £500m per year over 3 years. The Secretary of State indicated this was a best and final offer and requested a response by noon today. John O’Dowd has asked for an extension. There is no conclusive indicator of whether the Executive will agree or not.
• Johanna explained why the legislative timetable is tight and a budget needs to be agreed by end of October.

Energy Group 

Richard Rodgers updated

• We are heading into a difficult winter for the public due to energy cost increases and lower income households will struggle.
• A £63 payment will be made to all households from 6^th October. There is another £30 in the same scheme next April and we await the Chancellor’s budget for any future schemes/ extension of 0% VAT on energy supply for households beyond March 2027.
• 53% of electricity generated here in the 12 months to the end of June was from renewable sources. The 2^nd stage of the Renewable Energy scheme has passed.
• RHI closure regulations passed in Assembly on 7^th September. Annual closure payments now being progressed.

Skills & Education Group

Tracey Teague updated

• HE and FE budgets are critical. Universities are pressing that costs are unsustainable. FE College courses have been cut and funding is a concern.

Economic Policy Group

Christine Robinson updated

• The economic growth figure for NI is good.
• Funding of HE budgets has an economic risk with implications including regarding capital and City & Growth deals. Details of risks are with Minister.
• The Regional Balance bill work is ongoing. Officials are considering how the Bill may be amended.
• We are looking at alternative sources of funding.

Johanna Park presented.

• There has been a recent information gathering exercise and internal realignment exercise.
• We have a contingency envelope of £816m, we forecast £865m resource requirement including £10m to maintain funding to universities. The majority of pressure is with demand led skills programmes and pay and price pressures in Further Education colleges. We submitted bids of £906m in a recent exercise which includes increased funding to universities.
• The capital position is balanced after action taken earlier in the year but there is a continuing need for additional Capital funding for universities

Casework Committee

• This is the first time this paper has been presented to Board. How we assure and measure outcomes was discussed. At the Committee there is a discussion on the need, rationale and how it aligns with Departmental strategy. There will be an evaluation and evidence that impact was delivered – that is the core expectation.
• Alongside a short synopsis of the individual project, it was agreed for future reports that a column showing the DfE financial contribution be shown in the caseworks completed table.

Cyber Security Posture Report

• This is also a new report which indicates an improving position.
• There is a vulnerability with interfaces between DfE and ALBs.
• It was noted that the meanings of acronyms weren’t clear and this will be resolved for future reports.

Resourcing & People Committee

• Time was taken at SMT for workforce planning.
• There is a gap between Approved Staffing Levels and in post FTEs. Workforce planning will help tackle that gap.
• The overall vacancy rate is 20%

Audit and Risk Committee

• Michael McKavanagh briefly mentioned certain key issues in the paper including RHI, Magee expansion, Audit, Risk management and Fraud & Raising Concerns.