Deputy Secretary - Resources, Governance and EU Group - Declan McGeown
The Deputy Secretary has responsibility for road safety and vehicle regulation; the development of transportation policy; the delivery of strategic transport planning, policy and legislation. EU funding matters and the Cycling and the Inland Waterways Unit also fall to the Deputy Secretary, as do governance arrangements for the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company/Translink and other transport providers such as Urban and Rural Transport, and Harbours and Airports. In addition, they are responsible for Departmental Finance.
DfI Director of Finance - Susan Anderson
Susan is the Director of Finance within the Department.
Finance Directorate objectives
Finance Directorate has four key objectives:
to optimise the financial resources available to the Department in achieving its strategic goals and delivering value for money and efficiency for the tax-payer
to provide accurate timely and relevant financial analyses and information to support effective decision making within the Department
to deliver the Department’s statutory external financial reporting outputs and maintain processes which deliver compliance with Government Accounting regulations and other legislative requirements
to recruit, retain and develop a highly skilled, efficient, flexible team who are committed to continuous improvement and to providing both proactive and responsive services which meet the needs of the Department.
Director of Corporate Support Services - Linda MacHugh
Linda has responsibility for DfI’s Digital Strategy to support digitally enabled business transformation projects across the Department and open government. The Directorate will also provide support across the Department to ensure information is properly governed, stored, used, protected and made available, including publishing information and data.
The Directorate also has responsibility for DfI’s statistical and analytical functions, facilities management in Clarence Court and the creation of the Department’s Portfolio, Programme and Project Office (P3O).
Director of Public Transport - Jackie Robinson
Jackie is Director of Public Transport which is sponsor for Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC), commonly referred to by its brand name, Translink. The Directorate leads on public transport policy and provides Capital and Revenue funding to support and improve public transport. Translink operates under a five year legal agreement with the Department, which defines its services, standards and funding.
The Directorate grants funds a range of transport services with the aim of reducing rural and social isolation.
The Directorate also has responsibility for managing service permits for commercial operators seeking to offer services distinct from the main public transport network.
Director of Corporate Policy and Planning - Sian Kerr
Sian provides support to the Minister and Permanent Secretary. The Directorate has responsibility for shaping and articulating DfI’s corporate ambitions and its business planning process.
It also delivers a range of corporate functions: communications and engagement (both internal and external); corporate governance; emergency planning; strategic workforce planning; the Department’s equality agenda; public appointments and assembly liaison.
Acting Director of Gateways and EU Relations - Claire Cockerill
Claire has responsibility for EU Policy, Programmes & Future relations including overseeing the DfI’s legislative programme ensuring that all relevant legislation is compliant. Within the Division she also has responsibility for gateways, (air and sea ports) policy and governance, rail policy and rail safety across Northern Ireland, and oversight of the Department’s north/south implementation body, Waterways Ireland.
Director of Living With Water Programme - Simon Richardson
The Director of the Living With water Programme is responsible for the development and delivery of a strategic drainage infrastructure plan for Belfast to protect against flooding, enhance the water environment and provide the capacity needed to facilitate economic development and growth. The Directorate is also responsible for developing an integrated drainage investment planning guide which will be used to develop similar plans for other towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
Director of Water and Drainage Policy - Alison Clydesdale
The Director of Water and Drainage Policy Directorate is responsible for the development and maintenance of the policy and regulatory environment to provide a modern, high quality water and sewerage service, at the lowest possible cost. The Directorate is also responsible for advising Ministers on policy in relation to the water and sewerage industry and for discharging the Department’s statutory and other duties under the Water & Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006.
Head of Internal Audit - Lacey Walker
Lacey is the Head of Internal Audit within the Department. Internal Audit helps DfI and its Agencies to achieve their business objectives. This is done by measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance arrangements in place to achieve each organisations’ agreed objectives. A primary role of Internal Audit is therefore to provide an independent and objective opinion to the Principal Accounting Officers (PAOs) and Agency Accounting Officers (AAOs) in the department.
