In the Agreement, in order to create effective government of Northern Ireland, The Programme for Government is the Executives contract with the people of The Programme for Government and the Budget are closely linked. The The Programme for Government also

Programme for Government

4.5 In the Agreement, in order to create effective government of Northern Ireland,

it was agreed that: The Executive Committee will seek to agree each year, and review as necessary, a programme incorporating an agreed budget linked to policies and programmes, subject to approval by the Assembly, after scrutiny in Assembly Committees, on a cross-community basis.

4.6 The Programme for Government is the Executives contract with the people of

Northern Ireland. It sets out the Executives strategic aims and priorities for the years ahead and explains how the Executive will work with the Assembly and with others to achieve these aims and make progress on its priorities. The Programme for Government is reviewed and rolled forward every year in line with the requirement in the Agreement.

4.7 The Programme for Government and the Budget are closely linked. The

Programmes priorities drive the Executives decisions on the allocation of financial resources, and the Programme for Government and Budget are developed and consulted on together. The actions identified in the Programme are supported by the allocations which are presented in the Budget document.

4.8 The Programme for Government also includes Public Service Agreements PSAs

for each of the eleven departments. Public Service Agreements are an important aspect of the Programme for Government and demonstrate the Executives commitment to greater openness and accountability. They set out the key outcomes and targets that each department is seeking to deliver with the resources voted to it by the Assembly. The PSAs allow the Executive to develop and present clear links between public funds and the achievement of agreed outcomes at both Executive and departmental level. They are supported by Service Delivery Agreements, again at departmental level, which illustrate how each department will achieve the Executives Programme for Government commitments and its own PSA targets. 19 4

4.9 The Programme for Government and PSAs