List of Northern Ireland ministers, government departments and executive agencies facts for kids
The government in Northern Ireland, called the Northern Ireland Executive, helps run most public services here. This includes things like schools, hospitals, and roads. But some services are also handled by the United Kingdom Government or by groups that work with both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Public services are also provided by 11 local councils, one education group, and five health and social care groups. Other groups answer directly to the Northern Ireland Assembly or to outside organisations.
Contents
Who are the Ministers?
Ministers are like the leaders of different parts of the government. They make decisions about their areas.
- First Minister
- Deputy First Minister
- Junior Ministers (they help the First Minister and Deputy First Minister)
- Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (looks after farming, nature, and the countryside)
- Minister for Communities (helps with things like housing, social security, and arts)
- Minister for Economy (deals with jobs, businesses, and money)
- Minister for Education (in charge of schools and learning)
- Minister for Finance (manages the government's money)
- Minister for Health (looks after hospitals and healthcare)
- Minister for Infrastructure (deals with roads, public transport, and water)
- Minister for Justice (handles laws, courts, and prisons)
- Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (the UK government's main minister for Northern Ireland)
- Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (helps the Secretary of State)
Law Officers
Law officers give legal advice to the government.
- Attorney General for Northern Ireland (advises the Northern Ireland Executive)
- Advocate General for Northern Ireland (advises the United Kingdom Government)
Northern Ireland Government Departments and Agencies
These are the main government departments and the groups that work with them.
The Executive Office
This office helps the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
- Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (this person speaks up for children and young people)
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (this person speaks up for older people)
- Community Relations Council for Northern Ireland (helps different communities get along)
- Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (works to make sure everyone is treated fairly)
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
This department looks after farming, the environment, and rural areas.
- College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (teaches about farming and food)
- Forest Service (manages forests and woodlands)
- Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) (protects our environment)
- Rivers Agency (manages rivers and helps prevent floods)
Department for Communities (DfC)
This department helps with many things that affect our daily lives.
- Child Maintenance Service (helps parents arrange financial support for their children)
- Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) (keeps important historical records)
- Social Security Agency (SSA) (helps people with benefits and support)
- Arts Council of Northern Ireland (supports arts and culture)
- Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (looks after charities)
- National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland (manages our museums and galleries)
- Northern Ireland Library Authority (Libraries NI) (runs public libraries)
- Northern Ireland Screen (supports film, TV, and digital content)
- Sports Council for Northern Ireland (encourages people to get involved in sport)
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive (helps with housing)
Department of Education (DE)
This department is in charge of education for children and young people.
- Further Education and Teacher Training Colleges:
- Belfast Metropolitan College
- Northern Regional College
- North West Regional College
- Southern Regional College
- South Eastern Regional College
- South West College
- Stranmillis University College
- St. Mary's University College
- Education Authority (manages schools and education services)
- General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (looks after teachers)
- Middletown Centre for Autism (supports children and young people with autism)
- Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (decides what is taught in schools and how students are tested)
- Youth Council for Northern Ireland (supports youth work)
Department for the Economy (DfE)
This department helps businesses and the economy grow.
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) (makes sure workplaces are safe)
- Invest Northern Ireland (helps businesses start and grow here)
- Labour Relations Agency (helps solve problems between workers and employers)
- Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) (promotes Northern Ireland as a place to visit)
Department of Finance (DoF)
This department manages the government's money and public services.
- Land and Property Services (LPS) (deals with land and property taxes)
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (collects and shares important facts and figures)
Department of Health (DoH)
This department looks after everyone's health and social care.
- Health and Social Care Board (plans and manages health services)
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Western Health and Social Care Trust
- Public Health Agency (works to keep everyone healthy and prevent illness)
- Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust (provides ambulance services)
- Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (puts out fires and helps in emergencies)
- Northern Ireland Guardian ad Litem Agency (speaks up for children in court cases)
Department for Infrastructure (DfI)
This department looks after our roads, transport, and water.
- Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) (handles driving tests and vehicle checks)
- Transport NI (looks after roads and transport)
- Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (runs public transport like buses and trains, known as Translink)
- Northern Ireland Water (provides clean water and deals with wastewater)
Department of Justice (DOJ)
This department is in charge of law and order.
- Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (runs the courts)
- Northern Ireland Prison Service (manages prisons)
- Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland (works with young people who have broken the law)
- Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (checks how the justice system is working)
- Northern Ireland Policing Board (oversees the police)
- Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman (looks into complaints about the police)
- Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) (our police force)
- Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) (helps people who have been in trouble with the law)
- Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI) (decides if someone should be charged with a crime)
Local Councils
Local councils look after services in your local area, like rubbish collection, parks, and planning.
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council
- Belfast City Council
- Causeway Coast and Glens District Council
- Derry and Strabane District Council
- Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
- Lisburn and Castlereagh District Council
- Mid and East Antrim District Council
- Mid-Ulster District Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
- North Down and Ards District Council
UK Government in Northern Ireland
Some parts of the United Kingdom government also work in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Office (NIO) This is the UK government department that deals with Northern Ireland.
- Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (helps run elections)
- Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (protects human rights)
- Parades Commission (makes decisions about parades)
Other UK Government Agencies
- Companies House (registers companies)
- HM Passport Office (issues passports)
- UK Visas and Immigration (deals with visas and immigration)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency (looks after safety at sea)
- HM Revenue and Customs (collects taxes)
- Food Standards Agency (makes sure our food is safe)
- Bank of England (the UK's central bank)
- Electoral Commission (oversees elections across the UK)
- Office of Communications (regulates TV, radio, and phone services)
Defence and Security
- British Armed Forces (like the British Army)
- Security Service (MI5) (works to keep the country safe from threats)
North/South Ministerial Council
The North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) is where ministers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland work together. They cooperate on things that affect both parts of Ireland.
- Food Safety Promotion Board (makes sure food is safe on both sides of the border)
- Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (looks after fishing and navigation in certain areas)
- Institute of Public Health in Ireland (works on public health issues)
- InterTradeIreland (helps businesses trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland)
- North/South Language Body (promotes Irish and Ulster-Scots languages)
- Foras na Gaeilge (promotes the Irish language)
- Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (Ulster-Scots Agency) (promotes the Ulster-Scots language)
- Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) (manages EU funding for cross-border projects)
- Tourism Ireland (promotes the whole island of Ireland to tourists)
- Waterways Ireland (manages inland waterways)
Other Important Public Bodies
- Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) (checks how government money is spent)
- Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (regulates services like electricity and gas)
- Northern Ireland Ombudsman (looks into complaints about government departments)
See also
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