THE approved Northern Ireland Executive Programme for Government 2024-27 is a “significant achievement” — but would have benefited from a clearer timetable and targets, the Church of Ireland’s Church and Society Commission has stated.
In 2021, the Northern Ireland (NI) Assembly and Executive was mandated to improve the social, economic, and political landscape.
A draft programme was published in September after a public consultation. This was later welcomed by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Archbishops of Armagh — the Most Revd John McDowell and the Most Revd Eamon Martin — for “daring to dream” of opportunity, hope, and partnership, underpinned by a “cross-cutting commitment to peace” (News, 8 November 2024).
The programme has since been approved by the NI Assembly and officially published earlier this month. It sets out a plan to grow the economy, deliver affordable homes and early years childcare, cut health waiting times, end violence against women and girls, support SEND children, protect the environment, and transform public services.
In its official response, published on Friday, the Church of Ireland’s Church and Society Commission said that it appreciated the “tight financial position” in which the Executive was operating. “In this context, the Programme for Government is a significant achievement.”
It was the first programme for Government in ten years and represented “another step in the task of restoring confidence in our political institutions” for the “common good”. Plans to cut waiting lists were welcome, it said, but it asked for “additional information” on timelines “before a considered assessment can be made”.
Other commitments, including to start building 5850 new homes by 2027, were also welcomed. The Commission also welcomed SEND provision, but concern was expressed that “there is no mention of the many other issues currently causing strain and friction across the full education landscape.”
“Childcare intervention is urgently required,” the Commission said, “but this must be implemented at speed. Too many parents are having to opt out of work because of the prohibitive cost of childcare. This drastic step by talented people not only denies them the right to use their skills but is a barrier to economic growth.”
The Commission was also “disappointed” by the absence of police funding. “Officer numbers are historically and dangerously low and reinvestment in equipment is urgently required.”
It concluded: “There is much to do, and this Programme for Government is but a start, a positive first step. We believe that it would have benefitted from clearer targets and more specific detail on delivery times. We now wait to see what is contained in the Northern Ireland Budget.”
The Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly visited Washington last week to “champion the case” for Northern Ireland in the US. Archbishop McDowell also visited for a series of engagements, which included preaching in Washington National Cathedral on Sunday, the day before St Patrick’s Day, during which he gave a history of the saint’s “character and discipleship”.
