Ministerial Training and Support
One role of Ministers in a democratic system is to decide on policies and they can only do so effectively if they are prepared, in appropriate cases, to question and challenge material put to them in submissions and regulatory impact assessments. Ministers should be given training on their role in relation to policy, legislation and on the working of public expenditure and value for money. More should also be done to provide (a) comprehensive departmental induction and information, which should include frank disclosure of any specific difficulties and problems involved in a particular scheme or policy area; and (b) greater support in the form of a properly resourced Private Office.
- The NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024) assessed this recommendation as "Likely to be Implemented" overall, noting that sub-parts on ministerial induction (a) and Private Office resourcing (b) were both Implemented, but the overall ministerial training recommendation remained subject to political agreement (NIAO Second Progress Report, October 2024).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
Accepted[Note: The NI Executive responded to recommendations 5-7, 25, 37, 39-43 together as a group under the 'Ministers and Special Advisers' theme.] NI Executive Response (October 2021): These recommendations can be accepted in full, with the exception of the consideration of an independent mechanism to assess special advisers' compliance with the Code of Conduct. They have been addressed through work to date, including: revisions to the Ministerial Code of Conduct, Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and NICS Code of Ethics, and the introduction of new Guidance for Ministers; the publication of new enforcement arrangements for ministerial standards of behaviour; agreement on the development of a multi-year outcomes-focussed Programme for Government, aligned with the Budget, including stakeholder engagement and consultation; departmental induction and briefing for Ministers on the return of the Executive, and Executive away-days; the strengthening of Private Offices including the higher grading of the Private Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary roles; identification of the team where matters of policy in respect of Special Advisers are to be dealt with. Further work is required to: deliver induction programmes for Ministers and for special advisers; arrange for publication of relevant interests of civil servants.
Progress Timeline
NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024): Likely to be Implemented (overall). Sub-parts on ministerial induction (a) and Private Office resourcing (b) are both Implemented. However, the overall ministerial training offer remains 'likely' rather than fully implemented — while one-to-one sessions with the Institute for Government were offered to all Executive Ministers, only one Minister and one Special Adviser availed of this. NIAO considers that Ministers' engagement with relevant guidance and offers of training remains a necessity for full implementation.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Revised Guidance for Ministers published March 2020. Ministerial Code of Conduct strengthened. Ministerial induction and briefing provided on Executive restoration.
View detailed findings
A revised Guidance for Ministers on their roles and responsibilities was published as part of the New Decade New Approach restoration in January 2020. The Ministerial Code of Conduct was strengthened with requirements around conflicts of interest, SpAd management, and declarations of interests.