The new look Assembly

Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFM/DFM)

OFMDFM is responsible for supporting Ministers and the institutions of government, building a programme for government and modernising government programme, promoting better community relations, a culture of equality and rights, and targeting social need and promoting social inclusion

First Minister:

Rev, Ian Paisley, DUP

Deputy First Minister:

Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein

Junior Ministers:

Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein
Ian Paisley Jnr, DUP

Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

The committee was established to advise and assist the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, on matters within their responsibilities as Ministers. The committee undertakes a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role with respect to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and plays a key role in the consideration and development of legislation.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)

DARD is responsible for the development of the agricultural, forestry and fishing industries in Northern Ireland, rural development in Northern Ireland, providing an advisory service for farmers, agricultural research and education, providing a veterinary service and administration of animal health and welfare policies, and the application of EU agricultural policy to Northern Ireland.

Minister:

Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein

Agriculture and Rural Development committee

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)

DCAL is responsible in Northern Ireland for arts and creativity, museums, libraries, sport and leisure, visitor amenities, inland waterways and inland fisheries, Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, language diversity and the Northern Ireland Events Company.

Minister:

Edwin Poots, DUP

Culture, Arts and Leisure committee

Department of Education

DE is responsible for the central administration of all aspects of education and related services in Northern Ireland (excepting the higher and further education sector).

The main areas of responsibility are in pre-school, primary, post-primary and special education, the youth service, the promotion of community relations within and between schools, and teacher education and salaries.

Minister:

Catronia Ruane, Sinn Fein

Education committee

Department of Employment and Learning (DEL)

DEL is responsible for third level education, training and a range of employment measures, all aimed at giving people the skills, knowledge and opportunities to work.

This includes vocational training, student support, postgraduate awards, training grants and skills development

Minister:

Sir Reg Empey, UUP

Employment and learning committee

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

DETI is responsible for economic policy development, energy, tourism, mineral development, health and safety at work, Companies Registry, Insolvency Service, consumer affairs, labour market and economic statistics services.

It also has a role in ensuring the provision of the infrastructure for a modern economy.

Minister:

Nigel Dodds, MP MLA, DUP, Belfast North

Enterprise, trade and investment committee

Department of the Environment (DOE)

DoE is responsible for protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations, providing land use planning which balances the development needs of the region with the protection of the environment, improving and promoting road safety and ensuring the proper regulation of drivers, vehicles and operators, and supporting a system of local government which meets the needs of citizens and ratepayers.

Minister

Arlene Foster, DUP

Environment committee

Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP)

DFP and its Agencies are responsible for a variety of functions, many of which are carried out centrally on behalf of the Civil Service as a whole.

These include Business Development Service, Central Finance Group, Central Personnel Group, Central Procurement Directorate, Corporate Services Group, Departmental Solicitors’ Office, Land Registers of NI, NI Statistics and Research Agency, Office of Law Reform, Rates Collection Agency and Valuation and Lands Agency.

Minister

Peter Robinson, DUP

Finance and Personnel committee

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS)

DHSSPS is responsible for Health and Personal Social Services, which includes policy and legislation for hospitals, family practitioner services, community health and personal social services; Public Health, which covers responsibility for policy and legislation to promote and protect the health and well-being of the population; and Public Safety, which encompasses responsibility for the policy and legislation for the Fire Authority, food safety and emergency planning.

Minister

Michael McGimpsey, UUP

Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee

Department of Regional Development (DRD)

DRD is responsible for strategic planning, transportation strategy, ports and public transport, roads and water policy, providing and maintaining roads, and providing and maintaining water and sewerage services.

Minister

Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein

Regional Development committee

Department for Social Development (DSD)

Minister

Margaret Ritchie, SDLP

Social Development committee

Member	Party
Gregory Campbell (Chair)	DUP
David Hildritch (Vice Chair)	DUP
Anna Lo	Alliance
Jonathan Craig	DUP
Michelle McIlveen	DUP
Mickey Brady	Sinn Fein
Fra McCann	Sinn Fein
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