AQO 530/22-27 Oral question to the Minister of Finance
To ask the Minister of Finance whether a bid has been submitted by the Executive Office for the establishment of any of the three bodies required under the Identity and Language Act 2022 during 2024-25.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 23 May 2024
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 23 May 2024
- Answer due by
- 4 June 2024
- Answered
- 4 June 202412 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Finance
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 4 June 2024. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Dr Archibald
As part of Budget 2024-25, TEO submitted a capital bid of £54,000 for leasehold property for the language bodies that are being established under the Identity and Language Act. The Department did not submit any resource bids related to the bodies, although it indicated, as part of its return, that it would bid during the in-year monitoring process when necessary. The current in-year monitoring process has not yet been completed.
Ms Bradshaw
I thank the Finance Minister. That is very helpful information. It is useful to know that the Executive Office has plans in this financial year. The concern that I have, as Chair of the Executive Office Committee, is that we have no idea what that envelope will look like. We would appreciate receiving updates in the Chamber when the Minister receives them.
Dr Archibald
I understand that TEO has developed a business case and sought approval for the expenditure that is required to establish and sponsor the bodies. It was approved by my Department on 10 May. I also understand that TEO is recruiting and appointing core staff along with members of an office of identity and cultural expression and the two commissioners. I will be happy to share any updates that I have.
Mr McGlone
Cén fáth nár chuir Oifig an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin iarratas caipitil atarlaithe DEL isteach i leith léas na heagraíochta teanga? Nach cinnte gur infheistíocht fhadtéarmach é?
Dr Archibald
That question might be more appropriately directed to the Executive Office. It will be able to explain that.
Mr Allister
Will the Minister tell us the costs that were identified in the business case that her Department approved? The Minister mentioned the monitoring rounds. Are we now in the situation where Health, which says that it is £200 million or £300 million short, is going to have to compete in the monitoring rounds with pet projects like the Irish language commissioner?
Dr Archibald
I do not have the figures from the business case in front of me. I will be happy to write to the Member on that point. Obviously, it is for any Department to bid for any project that it sees fit as part of the monitoring round process.