Minister moves forward on review of Public Administration

NIO Minister, Ian Pearson today stated that responses to the recent consultation on the Public Administration (RPA) review, demonstrated a strong desire from the people of Northern Ireland to see the number of public bodies here cut significantly.

His comments followed a series of meetings held with the main political parties, to update them on the themes emerging out of the Review.

Outlining the next steps in the Review of Public Administration process, Mr Pearson said: “I am committed to delivering a more effective and efficient system of public administration to the people of Northern Ireland."

The Minister said, whilst a considerable degree of work still needs to be done to flesh out the proposals, he saw the final model including:

• A significant reduction on the numbers of public bodies, including Health Service bodies;
• Local councils being reduced from 26 to single figures, but having more powers, and boundaries that are fully aligned with other service providers in their locality;
• Arrangements at a local level to ensure the maintenance of local identity and community input to decision-making;
• Robust governance arrangements to ensure transparent decision-making, fairness and the protection of minority interests.

The Review of Public Administration consultation document was launched last October with over 4,500 copies being issued.

Mr Pearson has already met with representatives of the DUP, UUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance parties last week.

Further meetings are planned in the coming months.

(MB)