To ask the Minister of Finance to detail the process used by his Department to identify and enable identification of partners to take part in the co-production and co-design of policies and legislation; and how they ensure their contacts are kept up to date and current.

The Department of Finance follows NICS guidance on the Distribution of Departmental Publications and Consultation and adapts this to the issue on which the consultation or engagement is taking place. The Department identifies the stakeholders with a particular interest in the specific policy area or piece of legislation at the outset the development process and puts in place an engagement approach which is appropriate for the issue under consideration. When possible for policy development issues first engagement can be led by the Department’s Innovation Lab where stakeholders are invited to debate and agree issues and potential approaches. This approach was adopted for recent engagements on non-domestic rating reform, dormant accounts and community asset transfer. When appropriate subsequent engagement events would be held in different locations. For example, a targeted engagement with the business community was undertaken to assist with the design of the rates relief package put in place by the Executive this year. Consultation on budget issues have recently taken place over very short timescales. Consultations are publicised to ensure that all interested parties can contribute. The Departments Assembly Committee would be fully involved in all consultations.

For Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS)-wide internal Human Resources (HR) policies, NICSHR consults with the trade unions recognised by the NICS for collective bargaining purposes. Engagement with these unions is on an ongoing basis. Contact points are well established with any changes notified.