Finance Minister has announced updated
guidelines to simplify arrangements for grant recipients.
Speaking following Executive agreement to publish revisions to
what is known as a Dear Accounting Officer Letter (DAO 05/22
Grant or Procurement), Minister O'Dowd said:
“Reducing bureaucracy saves time and
money and enables faster delivery of projects and services to the
public.
“Earlier in the year a review of existing procurement
policy was undertaken to ensure we make full use of the
flexibilities available under the new legal framework. As a
result, we have updated the guidance to reduce red tape and make
it easier for grant recipients to deliver the best outcomes,
especially those in the Voluntary, Community and
Social Enterprise sector.
“Grant recipients will now no longer need to follow the
same procurement processes as government departments and
arm's-length bodies. This change recognises that
most local businesses have fewer than 50 employees and is aimed
at making it easier for them to deliver grant-funded projects for
communities.
“As a result, the new guidance will help to reduce
bureaucracy, support faster delivery, and lower costs—for both
funders and recipients.”
Celine McStravick, Chief Executive of NICVA added: “NICVA
welcomes this announcement as an important step toward a more
proportionate and partnership-based approach to funding and
procurement. The changes reflect what our sector has long called
for — less red tape, greater flexibility, and a recognition that
voluntary and community organisations deliver real value for
money for citizens. Embedding the Fair Funding Principles agreed
under the Partnership Agreement will be key to ensuring these
reforms lead to fairer, more sustainable relationships between
government and the voluntary, community and social enterprise
sector.”
Notes to editors:
1. A copy of the updated guidance is available at: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/dear-accounting-officer-letters-daos-2022
