About the Department for Communities

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The Department for Communities (DfC) has strategic responsibility for equality, anti-poverty, sports, arts and culture, languages, finding employment, historic environment, housing, regeneration, benefits and pensions, community and voluntary sector development, social legislation and child support

The Department

the Department for Communities was established in May 2016 following the restructuring of Northern Ireland Departments
DfC is the largest of the nine NICS Departments and work with 15 Arm's Length Bodies and number of Advisory Groups
DfC employs around some 8,500 people, accounting for one third of NICS employees
DfC has an annual budget of almost £7 billion, including expenditure of £5.9 billion on social security and pension payments

Departmental structure

Permanent Secretary

The Department is structured into six Groups:

Strategic priorities

In supporting and advising the Minister, the Department’s main functions include:

the promotion of a healthy housing and the provision of decent, affordable, sustainable homes and housing support services
a social welfare system including focused support to the most disadvantaged areas
providing training and support to jobseekers and employers
bringing divided communities together by creating urban centres which are sustainable, welcoming and accessible to live, work and relax in peace
supporting local Government to deliver effective public services
maximising public benefits from the culture, arts and leisure sectors
tackling disadvantage and promoting equality of opportunity by reducing poverty, promoting and protecting the interests of children, older people, people with disabilities, and other socially excluded groups; addressing inequality and disadvantage

Departmental Management Board

The Departmental Management Board which forms part of the Departments’ Corporate Governance Framework comprises of the Permanent Secretary (Chair) and the Deputy Secretaries for Communities, Place & Local Government; Corporate Services; Engaged Communities; Housing & Sustainability; Operational Delivery; and Work & Health.

There are also two independent members; Sharon O'Connor and Dale Ashford. Information on the Board’s remit and responsibilities can be found in the Operating Framework section of the Corporate Governance Framework document.

The Board has also established a Departmental Audit and Risk Assurance Committee to support the Accounting Officer in the responsibilities with issues of risk management, control and governance. A Department Information Risk Committee also ensures that appropriate policies, management and governance systems are in place to effectively protect the vast volume of Information which the Department holds. Other sub-committees may be established as and when required to facilitate delivery of departmental business, encourage sharing of experiences and embed better corporate working.

Departmental policies and guidance

Corporate reports

This page provides links to all corporate reports currently published.

Corporate reports

Assembly Written Questions (AQWs)

The Department commenced publication of its statistics on Assembly Written Questions (AQWs) on a quarterly basis, in January 2021.

Assembly Questions are tabled by MLAs and used as a tool to provide information and report on matters within the relevant Minister’s remit. The questions and answers are made available to the public via the NI Assembly website.

Assembly Written Questions (AQWs) quarterly statistics

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