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Business Plan
2013-14
Contents
Page
Foreword
3
Departmental Priorities
5
Introduction
7
Promoting Equality and Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion
8
Social Clauses and All-Ireland Working
10
Overview of DCAL’s Equality Agenda
11
Resources
15
Programme for Government 2011-15
16
Achievements 2012-13 and Planned Activities 2013-14
18
Monitoring Performance
34
DCAL Objectives and Targets 2013-14
35
2
Réamhrá
Is ábhar dóchais í an chuid seo d’Éirinn ó thaobh an chultúir, na n-ealaíon
agus na fóillíochta de. Tá éachtaí déanta ag daoine éagsúla ó na naoi gcontae
i gCúige Uladh le blianta beaga anuas; baineadh gradaim Oscar, ghlac
lúthchleasaithe páirt sna Cluichí Oilimpeacha agus Parailimpeacha, baineadh
boinn i gCraobhchomórtais an Domhain, i gCraobhchomórtais na hEorpa agus
i gCraobhchomórtais uile-Éireann.
Áit bheag í Tuaisceart na hÉireann; is féidir athrú suntasach agus substaintiúil a bhaint amach. Is léir le
fiche bliain anuas go bhfuil sé sin amhlaidh. Tá i bhfad níos mó oibre le déanamh, áfach, go háirithe i
dtaca le dul i ngleic le míchothromaíochtaí eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta. Bhí geilleagar inbhuanaithe
agus cúrsaí comhionannais ag croílár Straitéis Buiséid agus Infheistíochta an Fheidhmeannais atá mar
chuid de Chlár an Rialtais agus tá an scéal amhlaidh fós. Ina theannta sin, tá gach roinn rialtais faoi
cheangal ag oibleagáidí uileghabhálacha dlí poiblí.
Is é an phríomhthosaíocht agus an ceann is tábhachtaí ag an Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta – is
é sin, mo Roinnse agus a cuid comhlachtaí ar neamhchomaoin (ALBs) – ‘Comhionannas a chur chun
cinn, agus Dul i nGleic le Bochtaineacht agus le hEisiamh Sóisialta’.
Tá an tosaíocht polasaí poiblí seo frámaithe go soiléir ag Ráiteas Misin athbhreithnithe RCEF:
“Comhionannas sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta a chur chun cinn agus dul i ngleic le bochtaineacht
agus le heisiamh sóisialta, trí shamhail gheilleagrach inbhuanaithe a chur chun cinn go córasach
agus acmhainní suntasacha a dhíriú go réamhghníomhach ar earnálacha a bhfuil an
mhíchothromaíocht is mó le fáil iontu, sa chomhthéacs níos leithne a bhaineann le deiseanna
inláimhsithe agus torthaí intomhaiste a fhorbairt go héifeachtach le feabhas agus comhionannas a
chinntiú i gcúrsaí cultúir, ealaíon agus fóillíochta, agus sochaí mhuiníneach, chruthaitheach,
eolasach agus shláintiúil a chruthú sa chuid seo d’Éirinn.”
Ní le cultúr, ealaíona agus fóillíocht amháin a bhaineann RCEF. Oibríonn an Roinn ar mhaithe leis an
gheilleagar agus ar mhaithe le comhionannas fosta. Tá mo Roinnse tiomanta d’acmhainní poiblí
spriocdhírithe a sheachadadh, go háirithe, do na hearnálacha agus do na grúpaí sin inár sochaí ar gá
dóibh aghaidh a thabhairt ar na míchothromaíochtaí is mó laistigh de cheantair a bhfuil an riachtanas
oibiachtúil is mó le fáil iontu. Tá cultúr, ealaíona agus fóillíocht ina ngnéithe tábhachtacha d’fhás
geilleagrach inbhuanaithe agus is uirlisí riachtanacha iad maidir le cur chun cinn an chomhionannais.
Is iad na spriocanna a bheidh againn ná gnóthachtáil den chéad scoth agus cuirfidh comhionannas i
leith torthaí taca faoi sin.
Le fócas úr agus dírithe ar fheabhas agus ar chomhionannas, ar rochtain agus ar rannpháirtíocht,
caithfidh foireann iomlán RCEF a chinntiú anois go n-athróidh ár múnlaí seachadta le feabhsuithe
sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta atá fíor agus buan a sheachadadh ar fud an Tuaiscirt.
Carál Ní Chuilín
Aire Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta
3
Foreword
This part of Ireland is a beacon of hope across culture, arts and leisure. In recent years, the nine
counties of Ulster have brought us Oscar-winners, Olympians, Paralympians, World Champions,
European champions and all-Ireland champions.
The North of Ireland is a small place; substantial change and substantive transformation is
achievable. The last two decades have proved that fact. However, much more work is needed,
especially on tackling economic and social inequalities. A sustainable economy and the equality
agenda have been, and remain, at the core of the Executive's Programme for Government, Budget
and Investment Strategy. In addition, all government departments are bound by overarching public
law obligations.
The top priority, and most important objective, of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure namely, my Department and all its Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs) - is: 'To Promote Equality, and Tackle
Poverty and Social Exclusion'.
This public policy priority is explicitly framed by DCAL's revised Mission Statement:
"To promote social and economic equality, and to tackle poverty and social exclusion, through
systematically promoting a sustainable economic model and proactively targeting meaningful
resources at sectors of greatest inequality, within areas of greatest objective need, in the wider
context of effectively developing tangible opportunities and measurable outcomes for securing
excellence and equality across culture, arts and leisure, and a confident, creative, informed and
healthy society in this part of Ireland.”
DCAL is not merely about culture, arts and leisure, in isolation. Rather it is a department for the
economy and a department of equality. My Department is committed to delivering targeted public
resources, in particular, for those sectors and groups in our society facing greatest inequalities within
areas of greatest objective need. Culture, arts and leisure are important facets of sustainable
economic growth, as well as vital tools for the promotion of equality. Our goals will be excellence in
achievement underpinned by equality in outcomes.
With a renewed and sharpened focus on excellence and equality, and access and participation, the
entire DCAL family must now ensure the transformation of our delivery models in order to swiftly
deliver genuine and long-standing social and economic improvements across the North.
Carál Ní Chuilín
Minister of Culture, Arts & Leisure
4
Programme for Government and DCAL
Priorities
The Programme for Government (PfG) 2011-15 sets out the Executive’s Key Priorities to 2015
including:



Growing a Sustainable Economy and Investing in the Future;
Creating Opportunities and Tackling Disadvantage and Improving Health and
Wellbeing; and
Building a Strong and Shared Community.
DCAL has 3 specific key commitments listed in the Programme for Government:
o
To develop sports stadiums as agreed with the IFA, GAA and Ulster Rugby
o
To host the World Police and Fire Games in 2013
o
To support 200 projects through the Creative Industries Innovation Fund
DCAL also has an important role in relation to a number of other PfG key commitments including:
o
To deliver a range of measures to tackle poverty and social exclusion, including through the
Delivering Social Change delivery framework (OFMDFM)
o
To provide financial and other support across government to ensure the success of City of
Culture 2013 (OFMDFM)
o
To include social clauses in public procurement contracts (DFP)
Other Departmental Priorities:
1
o
To promote social and economic equality, tackle poverty and social exclusion, and promote
sustainable economic and social interventions
o
To increase all Ireland co-operation and development in order to deliver innovative and
efficient public services
o
To promote the positive health impacts of participation in culture, arts and leisure, in
particular in relation to suicide prevention
o
To promote the STEM/STEAM agenda and the DCAL family’s contribution to education and
lifelong learning
o
To bring forward a strategy to protect, enhance and develop the Irish language; to bring
forward Irish language legislation and to encourage 5,000 people to sign up to Líofa 2015
1
STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Design, Mathematics
5
o
To bring forward a strategy to protect and enhance and develop Ulster Scots language,
heritage and culture
o
To manage our natural fisheries resources in a sustainable way to add social and economic
value
o
To develop and implement a Boxing Strategy to maximise social inclusion and health benefits
o
To ensure effective governance and take forward the review of DCAL’s arm’s length bodies
6
Introduction
DCAL’s Mission Statement
“To promote social and economic equality, and to tackle poverty and social exclusion, through
systematically promoting a sustainable economic model and proactively targeting meaningful
resources at sectors of greatest inequality, within areas of greatest objective need, in the wider
context of effectively developing tangible opportunities and measurable outcomes for securing
excellence and equality across culture, arts and leisure, and a confident, creative, informed and
healthy society in this part of Ireland”.
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Business Plan 2013-14 sets out what DCAL aims
to achieve over the twelve months from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014, and sets the Department’s
strategic framework for coming years. The Department’s top priority is:

To Promote Equality And Tackle Poverty And Social Exclusion
DCAL Strategic Approach
The Departmental Strategic approach is set out in the Mission Statement. The Mission Statement will
inform all work undertaken by DCAL and its arm’s length bodies (ALBs).
The Department is committed to harnessing the transformative power of culture, arts and leisure to
deliver step changes and a lasting social and economic transformation in the context of a sustainable
economic agenda. Through a purposive implementation of DCAL’s statutory and policy responsibilities
we will ensure that our public investment in culture, arts and leisure prioritises the promotion of
equality and the need to tackle poverty and social exclusion.
In developing the Mission Statement there are a number of key areas which have been identified as
central to the Departmental Strategy. It should be noted that these are not considered additional
pieces of work which the Department will carry out; rather, these form the core of the Department’s
strategic approach and will inform all other activities which we undertake.
7
Promoting Equality and Tackling Poverty and Social
Exclusion
As clearly articulated in the Mission Statement, the promotion of social and economic equality, and
tackling poverty and social exclusion, through proactively targeting meaningful resources, will be
embedded in all the work which the Department undertakes.
Whilst promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion have always been essential
obligations of the Department, they had previously been considered as an additional part of the
policy cycle. This Minister has enhanced the importance of this central priority, and these issues are
now core to all policy considerations within the Department.
This approach represents a logical and inevitable evolution of the Department’s approach to tackling
inequalities. It is the natural outworking on the Executive’s commitment to reduce poverty, promote
equality and tackle existing patterns of disadvantage and division.
This evolution of approach can be described as follows 
Previously the Department developed policy and delivered services in the culture, arts and
leisure sectors and then considered how these could be tailored to promote equality and
tackle poverty and social exclusion.

Now the Department will consider what policy needs to be developed and what services
need to be delivered in order to positively promote equality and tackle poverty and social
exclusion.
The aim of promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion now drives the agenda, and
hence the prioritisation of work, within the Department.
In short, promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion are now being placed first and
foremost when framing policy and allocating resources.
It is the Department’s goal to contribute to social cohesion and united communities, and this will only
be achieved through the elimination of the economic, cultural and societal inequalities which
continue to exist between communities in this part of Ireland. In tackling these inequalities the
Department intends to continue, inter alia, with a purposive implementation of the provisions set out
under the NI Act 1998 which gave legal force to the Good Friday Agreement. This work will pay
particular regard to s75 of the Act which sets out responsibilities for public servants to promote both
the need for equality and the desirability of good relations.
Poverty and Social Exclusion
Many of DCAL’s operations are directly relevant to tackling poverty and social exclusion. DCAL plays
an important role in tackling poverty by contributing to the economy in general (such as making
substantial capital investments, supporting the creative industries sector, supporting facilities and
events which attract tourists) and by assisting individuals to improve their employment prospects
(such as supporting the STEM sector, providing a public library service, providing support to the sports
and arts sectors).
In terms of tackling social exclusion – where people are variously excluded from the social and
economic opportunities of our wider society – DCAL provides targeted opportunities for everyone to
participate in culture, arts and leisure. Participating in these activities can enhance people’s quality of
life and help increase their meaningful participation in society.
8
Over the course of this Business Plan, DCAL will be implementing a number of measures which are
intended to enhance the contribution of the Department towards tackling poverty and social
exclusion. A number of these are captured as specific targets as part of this Business Plan.
Equality
DCAL remains fully committed to its statutory obligations under s75 of the NI Act 1998 and to the
implementation of the commitments set out in its new Equality Scheme and Action Plan.
DCAL’s revised Equality Scheme and Action Plan was approved by the Equality Commission in
September 2011 and commended as an example of good practice. In accordance with continued
development of DCAL policy, the Scheme will be reviewed during this forthcoming Business Plan to
consider what, if any, enhancements can be made. In addition to a formal written consultation,
officials met with a number of key stakeholder groups to discuss the content of the new scheme and
the audit of inequalities.
In terms of implementation of the new Scheme, to date the Department has notified consultees of its
approval, developed a summary scheme and an easy read version. Our Research and Statistics Branch
have carried out a gap analysis of DCAL equality data which will assist the Department in putting in
place systems to collect relevant data and improve the monitoring of Departmental policies. Further
data-capturing exercises will follow in the next twelve months.
The Department’s Disability Action has been reviewed and a new Action Plan has been developed for
2013-15.
The next section addresses equality in greater detail.
Mainstreaming and Collaboration
DCAL’s approach to effectively promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion has been
to introduce and encourage systemic cultural and operational change within DCAL and its ALBs. This
has involved redefining how we – as an organisation and as individuals – view and respond to the
world in which we do business. It has also involved reform and providing new purpose to DCAL’s
relationships with, and strategic sponsorship of, its ALBs. In short, we have introduced a programme
of proactive action across DCAL and its ALBs to reboot efforts in addressing equality, poverty and
social exclusion.
Promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion are now being placed first and foremost
when framing policy and allocating resources.
Work has commenced in adapting existing and developing new programmes and projects within
existing budgets to promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion. These initiatives will be
collaborative in nature, involving both DCAL and its ALBs. Utilising the collective energy across the
DCAL ‘family’ is the best approach to addressing these complex issues and will enhance the
effectiveness of our interventions.
Collaborative programmes are also being developed across a number of DCAL’s business areas and
ALBs which could be supported under the Executive’s Delivering Social Change Framework. This can
provide access to significant additional funding opportunities for DCAL to drive social change across
the region. Work is well underway to strategically link existing and new activities across ALBs which
can assist the development of thematic interventions to receive additional funding through the
Framework focusing on areas such as Numeracy and Literacy, Ageing and Disability.
All ALB business plans are now considered as a group to ensure that promoting equality and tackling
poverty and social exclusion are prioritised across the entire DCAL ’family’. This ensures resources can
9
be targeted in a way that has maximum impact on promoting equality and tackling poverty and social
exclusion.
Social Clauses
DCAL, as a public authority, is specifically committed to the investment of public resources in a way
which promotes sustainable economic development, maximises social returns and targets socioeconomic inequalities. DCAL’s public finances will be expended in ways that, inter alia, effectively
target objective social need and demonstrate DCAL’s statutory duty to promote equality of
opportunity under s.75(1) of the NI Act 1998, both in relation to the attendant (i) general statutory
duty and (ii) specific procedural duties.
In this context all procurements undertaken by DCAL will contain a number of core specified
economic, social, environmental and equality contractual obligations (social clauses) which serve
DCAL’s related public policy and statutory obligations in these regards, including assisting the socioeconomic regeneration of the most economically deprived areas and groups in the north.
Social clauses are a feature of the regional Stadium development programme and during the
construction phase, the clauses will require the contractor to provide opportunities for the long term
unemployed, apprenticeships and student placements in addition to a range of social outcomes in the
areas around the stadiums. The procurement contract for Libraries NI E2 replacement IT system also
contains social clauses including apprenticeships, graduate trainee employment and supporting IT
clubs in schools. Refurbishment of Kilkeel Library is employing local people. The World Police and Fire
Games Social Inclusion Strategy - which considers wider social inclusion aspects of the Games - and a
commitment to promote equality and sustainability in all procurements relating to the City of Culture
2013 are further examples of how DCAL embeds social returns in its work.
All-Ireland Working
An initial scoping exercise was conducted across DCAL and its arm’s length bodies to determine the
current level of all-Ireland co-operation and activities throughout all of DCAL’s operations. The results
of this were very positive and confirm that there are high levels of north-south co-operation and
activities. This exercise will result in a comprehensive action plan being published within the lifetime
of this Business Plan which will enhance all-Ireland co-operation and activities in the longer term.
10
An Overview of DCAL’s Equality Agenda
Public Law Landscape
There are considerable and extensive protections in the North relating to equality, including the
statutory duty on Public Authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality between
specified groups. Additionally a range of legal protections and remedies are available in respect of
discrimination against particular identities.
Equality and anti-discrimination law in the North is not governed by any single piece of legislation.
Rather there is wide range of legislation which impacts on different areas. It is not intended to
provide an exhaustive list of the legislation available, however some of the key legislation in place
includes –
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Sex Discrimination Order 1976
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Race Relations Order 1997
Fair Employment and Treatment Order 1998
Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
Employment (Age) Regulations 2006
Section 75 of the NI Act 1998 states:
(1)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(2)
A public authority shall in carrying out its functions relating to Northern
Ireland have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity—
between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group,
age, marital status or sexual orientation;
between men and women generally;
between persons with a disability and persons without; and,
between persons with dependants and persons without.
Without prejudice to its obligations under subsection (1), a public authority
shall in carrying out its functions relating to Northern Ireland have regard
to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of
different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.
It is important to note that Parliament made Section 75(2) explicitly founded upon the basis that it
must be exercised "without prejudice to (the) obligations (arising) under" Section75(1). Therefore,
Parliament's premise for the existence and application of the Section 75(2) good relations duty was,
and remains, the primary equality duty of Section 75(1). It follows that, to be exercised lawfully and
implemented properly, any function(s) discharged under the auspices of “having regard” to the
“desirability” for Section 75(2) must be discharged “having ‘due’ regard” to the “need” for Section
75(1). Equality therefore is the framework within which good relations is built.
From the outset the Government made it clear in parliamentary debate that the statutory duty
concerning equality of opportunity does not and should not deter a public authority from taking
additional affirmative action, within the law, to address inequality among particular sections of
society:
“Section 75 in no way calls into question the ability of public authorities to take affirmative
action in appropriate cases to correct disadvantage. Affirmative action in appropriate
circumstances is an important method of combating inequality, and it is our firm intention
that that should remain so. (Section 75) does not call that into question, and does not render
11
unlawful what would be lawful affirmative action under current anti-discrimination
legislation.
Furthermore, Section 75 means that public authorities are bound to have regard to the need
1
for affirmative action when considering their duty under the clause”
From the outset, the Equality Agenda was intended to help build social cohesion and effective
inclusion. Therefore, work undertaken to promote equality intrinsically bolsters initiatives to tackle
social exclusion and build united communities.
“Good relations cannot be based on inequality between different religions or ethnic groups.
Social cohesion requires equality to be reinforced by good community relations. ... I repeat
2
that we see no conflict between these two objectives”
In order to promote the Equality Agenda it is essential that social exclusion is addressed and that
poverty is tackled meaningfully. It is not possible to strategically tackle inequalities without tactically
targeting the realities of social exclusion, the legacy of direct and indirect discrimination, the impact
of a largely unsustainable economic framework, and the difficult structural economic realities in
which many people find themselves. As a custodian of public resources, DCAL has an important and
necessary role in these matters.
Public Policy Landscape
The Executive’s Programme for Government 2011-15 clearly states:
Page 13 – “Equality is an important issue for the Executive and Society alike. Inequalities do
exist and we will work hard to eliminate these. Our policies and programmes will be designed
in ways that ensure we can address inequality and unfairness and create conditions that
support inclusion and equality of opportunity.”
Page 25 – “We are determined that the wealth and prosperity we are seeking will be used to
help reduce poverty, promote equality and tackle existing patterns of disadvantage and
division.”
The second priority within the Programme for Government (Priority 2: Creating Opportunities,
Tackling Disadvantage and Improving Health and Wellbeing) specifically addresses issues of inequality
and is defined as follows:
“This priority seeks to address the challenges of disadvantage and inequality that afflict
society and to address the relatively poor health and long-term shorter life expectancy of
our population; its purpose is to stimulate interventions that break the cycle of deprivation,
educational under-achievement, and to address health inequalities and poor health and
wellbeing as well as economic disengagement.”
In support of the Executive’s clearly stated priorities, DCAL has determined that its top priority must
be ‘To Promote Equality and Tackle Poverty and Social Exclusion’. This is made real in the
Departmental Mission Statement:
“To promote social and economic equality, and to tackle poverty and social exclusion
through systematically promoting a sustainable economic model and proactively targeting
meaningful resources at sectors of greatest inequality, within areas of greatest objective
need, in the wider context of effectively developing tangible opportunities and measurable
1
2
Mr Paul Murphy (18 November 1998) House of Commons, Official Report cols. 1069-1070.
Dr Marjorie Mowlam (27 July 1998). House of Commons, Official Report col.109.
12
outcomes for securing excellence and equality across culture, arts and leisure; and a
confident, creative, informed and healthy society in this part of Ireland”.
The Department is committed to fully harnessing the transformative power of its public resources
across sports, culture and arts to deliver significant and measureable programmes which will target
inequalities, deprivation and social exclusion as an important basis for developing a sustainable
economic agenda.
The Department is responsible for supporting facilities and delivering services across the cultural
sector, including arts, museums, libraries, sports, the creative industries, Irish Language and Ulster
Scots. We are working with partner organisations to design and support projects which reach into the
hearts of communities. The aim is to directly impact on the causes of poverty and inequality, for
example by using culture as a route to build skills and provide opportunities for employment and
economic sustainability. We also support projects which bring people together across structural social
divides – social, economic, cultural, geographic and historical.
DCAL is a Department focussed on delivery, for all the people in this part of Ireland, with the Equality
Agenda at its heart. While it is accepted that there are clear benefits from culture, arts and sports in
and of themselves, it is essential that we ensure that public investment promotes equality and tackles
poverty and social exclusion. This approach is founded on the twin aims of excellence in
achievement underpinned by equality in outcomes.
The Departmental Mission Statement and the approach of this Business Plan take account of relevant
case law which supports the need for positive and effective affirmative actions across the
Department’s function. A detailed consideration of case law in this area is attached at Appendix A of
this Business Plan.
Moving Forward
It is essential that the need ‘To Promote Equality And Tackle Poverty And Social Exclusion’ is
mainstreamed within and across the Department’s everyday activities. It is essential that all DCAL
business areas, including arm’s length bodies, recognise that priorities and duties must underpin all
activity that is undertaken corporatively within the Department. Access and participation must be
watchwords for the Department and its ALBs. The opportunities to contribute to sustainable
economic development and sustainable social cohesion are significant.
This work will not be achieved overnight, although several significant steps have already been taken
to ensure that this work is given priority. The Departmental Business Plan and associated ALB
Business Plans must now seamlessly correlate with the DCAL Mission Statement and clearly contain
hard targets demonstrating significant resources are being directly and effectively dedicated to
promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion.
In order to assist these developments internally, it has been agreed that the DCAL Senior
Management Team (SMT) will monitor this work regularly, sharing examples of best practice and
ensuring progress is being made against objectives. Every month SMT will discuss the Department’s
key priority. From time to time SMT will meet external stakeholders for assistance, support and
challenge.
Additionally, a paper collating all work on promoting equality and tackling poverty and social
3
exclusion will be reviewed and updated on a monthly basis . The SMT will report to the Minister on a
quarterly basis. This will provide an opportunity for the Minister to be assured that sufficient
resources are being directed to the implementation of the Mission Statement and top priority to
3
It would not be intended that the paper would detail all actions taken across the DCAL family. Rather
it would be a reflection of the key interventions in this area that yielded significant outcomes.
13
‘Promote Equality and Tackle Poverty and Social Exclusion’, as well as to consider and review all
relevant issues, and – if necessary or appropriate – to redirect the Department’s focus.
The Permanent Secretary will also, in agreement with, and with approval of, the Minister, bring
forward a detailed reporting and monitoring plan at SMT level, Divisional level and across the entire
Department. A summary of all reports will regularly be published on the DCAL website and circulated
to s75 stakeholders and DCAL consultees.
This process marks the start of a journey, and the minimum baseline approach necessary. The
opportunities to make tangible and real-time positive differences in the lives of this society’s most
marginalized and excluded are huge. DCAL is committed to using its legal, policy and resource powers
to increasingly deliver on excellence and equality for all.
14
Resources
The 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which heralded Government spending cuts
amongst the most severe in a generation, sets the context for DCAL’s spending plans in the period
2011-15.
At the start of 2013-14, halfway through the CSR period, pressures on DCAL’s budget continue to be
acute, and look set to remain this way even into the next CSR period. The DCAL Board continues to
regularly monitor spend across all business areas to ensure that resources are optimally allocated,
and in particular that identified priorities are sufficiently resourced.
DCAL’s Corporate Plan 2011-15 indicated that current expenditure to be made in 2013-14 would be
£107.39 million and capital investment to be made in 2013-14 would be £29.68 million.
Opening Allocations
Since the DCAL Corporate Plan was published, there have been various adjustments to the profile for
2013-14 (see notes to table), and the opening allocations for 2013-14 are:
Spending Area
Current Expenditure
2013-14
£m
23.48
19.03
33.99
16.60
1.11
5.87
6.71
5.42
4.60
116.80
Arts
Museums
Libraries NI
Sport (including regional stadiums)
Cultural Policy
Inland Fisheries and Waterways
North/South Body – Languages
North/South Body – Waterways Ireland
Public Record Office
Capital Investment
2013-14
£m
0.98
0.87
6.16
25.39
0.00
0.17
0.00
0.25
0.10
33.92
Total
Notes:
Since the publication of the expenditure profile in the DCAL Corporate Plan 2011-15, the following
should be noted:
a) DCAL’s contribution to NI student fees pressures has decreased the 2013-14 resource
budget by £742k;
b) DCAL’s north/south bodies were reclassified as non-departmental public bodies and as a
result obtained an additional £1.84 million resource budget;
c) DCAL’s contribution to the NI Executive’s £100 million capital receipts target has reduced
the capital budget by £58k;
d) A capital acceleration exercise has increased the capital budget by £3.86 million;
e) An additional allocation of £6.1m in respect of the City of Culture 2013 (included under
Arts);
f) An additional allocation of £320k capital and £1180k resource in respect of the three
Sports Governing Bodies – IFA, GAA and IRFU;
g) A reclassification of £183k of W5 budget from capital to resource;
h) An additional allocation of £800k resource and £300k capital awarded to Arts under the
Jobs & Economy Initiative;
i) A number of technical transfers between Departments increasing the resource budget by
£47k.
15
Programme for Government 2011-15
DCAL has responsibility for delivering three commitments under the Programme for Government –
one under Priority 1 and two under Priority 4. DCAL also has lead responsibility for ten of the building
blocks referred to in the Programme for Government:
Priority 1
Commitment
Building Blocks
Growing a Sustainable Economy and Investing in the Future
Support 200 projects through the Creative Industries Innovation Fund
Creative Industries Innovation Fund
World Police and Fire Games 2013
Priority 3
Building Block
Protecting our People, the Environment and Creating Safer Communities
Salmon and Eel Management Plans
Priority 4
Commitment
Building a Strong and Shared Community
Develop sports stadiums as agreed with the IFA, GAA and Ulster Rugby
Host the World Police and Fire Games in 2013
Annual Support for Organisations Programme (Arts) [now Annual Funding
Programme (Arts)]
Sport Matters – Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation
Arts and Older People Strategy
Strategy for the Irish Language
Strategy for Ulster-Scots Language, Heritage and Culture
Northern Ireland Museums Policy
Building Blocks
Priority 5
Building Block
Delivering High Quality and Efficient Public Services
Modernisation of Public Library Service
In addition, DCAL directly contributes to many other of the Programme for Government Building
Blocks. DCAL’s direct contribution to the Programme for Government is summarised in the following
diagram:
16
Schematic Representation of DCAL and the Programme for Government
1
PfG
Priorities
Growing a
sustainable
economy and
investing in
the future
Key
Commitments
Support 200
projects through
the Creative
Industries
Innovation Fund
Provide financial
support to
City of Culture 2013
Building
Blocks
[policies/plans/
strategies]
2
Creating
opportunities
tackling
disadvantage
and improving
health and
wellbeing
3
Protecting our
people, the
environment
and creating
safer
communities
Deliver a range of
measures to
tackle poverty
and social
exclusion through
the Delivering
Social Change
delivery
framework
4
5
Building a
strong and
shared
community
Delivering high
quality and
efficient
public services
Develop sports
stadiums as
agreed with the
IFA, GAA and
Ulster Rugby
Include Social
Clauses in
public
procurement
contracts
Host the World
Police and Fire
Games 2013
Creative Industries
Salmon and Eel
Annual Funding
Modernisation of
Innovation Fund
Management Plans
Programme (Arts)
Public Library
World Police and
Strategy for Sport
Service
Fire Games 2013
and Physical
Recreation
- DCAL leads
Arts and Older
People Strategy
Strategy for the
Irish Language
Strategy for
Ulster Scots
Language, Heritage
and Culture
Northern Ireland
Museums Policy
Building
Economic Strategy
Blocks
[policies/plans/ Investment Strategy
strategies]
- DCAL
contributes
Equality and Good
Strategy
Relations
NI Direct
Strategy
Water Framework
Programme
Review of Public
Health and
Directive
Volunteering
Administration
Social Care
Strategy
Cohesion, Sharing
Development
Bamford Review
Neighbourhood
and Integration
Strategy
Tourism Strategy
10 Year Strategy for
Children and
Young People
Older Peoples'
Strategy
Racial Equality
Strategy
Gender Equality
Strategy
Sexual Orientation
Action Plan
Renewal
Strategy
Corporate
Governance
Code
Science, Technology,
Engineering
Investing for Health
Sustainable
Development
Strategy
Principles
Biodiversity
Social Inclusion
Regional
Success through
Underpinning
Anti-Poverty and
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
SUSTAINABILITY
17
Achievements 2012-13 and Planned Activities
2013-14
Achievements in 2012-13
Progress in 2012 against Programme for Government commitments – to redevelop Casement Park,
Windsor Park and Ravenhill, to host the World Police and Fire Games in August 2013, to provide
financial and other support to the City of Culture and to support projects through the Creative
Industries Innovation Fund - has been good.
Construction commenced at Ravenhill in November 2012, and extensive consultations on the design
for the new-look Windsor Park and Casement Park are well underway.
Preparations for the World Police and Fire Games have been continuing and Games volunteer
recruitment and athlete registration are progressing well. In all, there are 16 workstreams associated
with this complex operation.
DCAL successfully secured an additional £12.6 million (£7.5 million in 2012-13 and £5.1 million in
2013-14) from the NI Executive for the City of Culture 2013. The City of Culture has been successfully
launched and 2013 promises to be an exciting time for Derry’s development. Planned events will
bring huge numbers of visitors and create opportunities for wide ranging and sustainable social
benefits across the city and the wider north-west region of Ireland.
By the end of 2012-13 a total of 98 projects across a range of creative enterprise sectors were
supported through the Creative Industries Innovation Fund. Investments were also made in wider
sectoral initiatives to support the Executive’s priority to rebuild and rebalance the economy and
tackle disadvantage. These included a focus on initiatives promoting equality of opportunity in areas
and groups experiencing social and economic inequality.
The 2012 Olympics and Paralympics were a resounding success with hundreds of thousands of people
here participating in or attending the programme of events to celebrate the Games.
Seventeen National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees based themselves in
the north in the lead up to the Games with more than 1,000 athletes preparing at training camps
across the country. These included 





Chinese Men’s and Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team - Salto, Lisburn
Olympic boxing teams from Australia, Cuba, Canada, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Argentina Queens University, Belfast.
Paralympics Ireland – Antrim Forum
Athletics teams from Mexico, Qatar, Algeria, Djibouti, Oman, St Vincent and Grenadines,
Egypt – Antrim Forum
The Paralympic Council of Jordan also held their Pre Games Training Camp in the Antrim
Forum.
South African Badminton team - Lisburn Racquets.
DCAL successfully conducted separate public consultations on a strategy for Protecting and Enhancing
the Development of the Irish language and the Ulster-Scots Language, Heritage and Culture in order
to meet the Executive's agreed Programme for Government 2011-2015 – to deliver against Priority 4:
'Building a Strong and Shared Community’ and is in line with the NI Act 1998 which places duties on
the Executive to adopt both strategies.
18
2013-14 Targets
A series of specific targets for 2013-14 demonstrating DCAL’s commitment to its Mission appear at
the end of this document. Amongst these targets are two major events of international significance.
The World Police and Fire Games in August will see thousands of visitors arriving here and the Derry
City of Culture 2013 will likewise draw large numbers of visitors from across the globe. Together,
these events will provide an unrivalled opportunity to demonstrate our strong sporting and cultural
heritage to the world and harness the investment and raised awareness to drive sustainable social
and economic benefits to promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion through
community engagement, volunteering, skills development and employment.
Equally important are the day-to-day investments that DCAL makes across the culture, arts and
leisure sector. These fund improvements so that culture, arts and leisure experiences are available to
all and that the experiences are high quality, meaningful and contribute towards individual
development and employment.
This Business Plan lists all of the major activity DCAL will be engaging in during 2013-14 and DCAL is
confident that it will continue to make an important contribution to the work of the Executive and
make a positive difference to people’s lives here, whether it is in the area of economic growth,
education, health, wellbeing and suicide prevention, the environment, or equality through social
inclusion.
As already stated, the Department is committed to proactively tackling inequalities through the
purposive application of Section 75(1) of the NI Act 1998 and related statutory and public policy
duties. The promotion of equality and tackling of structural deprivations is a core Departmental
priority. An example of the Department’s approach in this regard can be seen in the determination to
promote excellence in the delivery of the stadium programme alongside promoting equality through
effective social clauses.
This twin track approach of excellence and equality is central to the development of a sustainable
economic framework, to which DCAL is committed in the context of the Executive’s existing statutory
and public policy obligations.
This commitment is reflected across the targets set by the Department’s arm’s length bodies which
encompass the wider DCAL family.
Stadiums
The central objective this year will be the concerted effort being made by the Department in
implementing the Regional Stadium Development Programme. Following NI Executive funding
allocation of £110m, the Department has implemented the management and development structures
that are required for the effective delivery of the stadium programme. The development phase has
commenced and significant progress has been realised, primarily in the development of the Ravenhill
Rugby Football Ground for Ulster Rugby. The Department will continue to work closely with the other
major sporting bodies and has developed clear plans with the GAA and the Irish Football Association
to commence the construction phases for Casement Park and Windsor Park respectively.
It is anticipated that all three stadiums will be completed by Autumn 2015, with government
contribution fully spent by March 2015.
19
Sports Division
A strategy for the development of association football at sub-regional level is also being pursued. A
range of business cases will be developed to inform DCAL’s bid for funding in the next Comprehensive
Spending Review.
The 2012-13 year saw the completion of the Department’s investment of circa £14.5m of Executive
funding in the development of the North’s first Olympic standard 50m Pool (to FINA specification) in
Bangor. The project was completed in March 2013 and is now in the monitoring phase. The
Department’s investment was important in addressing some of the infrastructure deficit identified
within ‘Sport Matters’ which has contributed to the underdevelopment of sports throughout the
north and this new flagship development provides a facility where the swimming athletes of today
and champions of tomorrow will train, compete and achieve their potential.
Sport Matters Strategy - The Executive’s continued commitment to sport through the Sport Matters
Strategy, provides a strong platform on which to develop strong, cohesive and inclusive communities
and to tackle social deprivation, inequality and poverty. In addition to its core value, sport also offers
a range of value added benefits to the community such as: improvements to physical and mental
health and well-being; growing the economy; improving education and skills; and promoting social
inclusion. In the year ahead the Department will continue to oversee and promote the delivery of the
Sport Matters Strategy and with 6 of the 26 targets through to 2019 now achieved, will aim to deliver
on further targets (PA5, PA6 & PE15) which will address participation in sport, physical activity for
young children and the performance of NI athletes at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth
Games. Under the Sport Matters Strategy, DCAL has been working hard to further promote the
community use of school sports facilities.
Activ8 Programme - The Department will encourage Sport NI in the ongoing delivery of the Activ8
Programme within primary schools in conjunction with local councils. The aim of the programme is to
encourage children to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Boxing - The Department will continue to work with the boxing fraternity to establish a far-reaching
developmental strategy for the sport and to back this up with much needed immediate investment.
Working through Sport NI, the Department has encouraged the development of a boxing
investment programme and £3.27m public monies are planned for dispersal (circa £1.535m in 201314) to those in most need and to increase participation in amateur boxing through the provision of
equipment and refurbished or new facilities. It is planned that as the programme rolls out, up to 40
clubs will receive financial support for premises repair projects in 2013-14 with larger refurbishment
or new facilities commencing in later years where approved.
Athlete Development Programme - ADP contributes to improved athlete performance through
providing opportunities for athletes to avail of appropriate training and competition
programmes. ADP enables governing bodies of sport and other eligible organisations to support
identified talented able-bodied and disabled sports people to develop to their full potential and
achieve international sporting success at Olympic, World, European and/or Commonwealth level.
20
Museums and Recreation Division
Libraries
The development of an integrated public library service and improvements to the library estate are
delivering results in terms of the diversity and quality of the cultural products and events accessible at
local libraries. Targeted programmes are enabling hard to reach communities and groups to use
library and information services in ways most convenient to them. Libraries NI have developed a
number of innovative partnerships to deliver expert advice and support on a range of important
issues such as mental health and well-being, financial management and the digital changeover.
Significant improvements have been made to the public libraries at Newry, Dungannon and Kilkeel,
and at Whiterock, Falls, Ormeau and Shankill in Belfast, and improvements will continue to be made
to the library estate in 2013-14. There will also be substantial investment in technical infrastructure,
and the E2 project, which will replace and improve the IT system in Libraries NI, will be progressed.
Public libraries are vital community spaces. Libraries NI will continue to initiate and support activities
that engage, involve and connect people and provide them with opportunities to improve their lives.
As part of this role we will continue to target services at those groups and individuals who are most
disadvantaged within our society.
Previously targets to increase participation were service wide. In future there will be targets to
increase overall participation in libraries in areas of social need. In the coming year we will produce a
set of revised Public Library Standards including a target on increasing participation in the public
library service by those living in the most deprived areas.
Programmes and activities in libraries will also be targeted at addressing poverty and social exclusion.
For example, during 2013-14 libraries will deliver 1,700 Got IT sessions in libraries to support adults to
get online. This will reduce the digital divide, particularly in light of the move towards making public
services ‘digital by default’. Programmes that address poverty and social exclusion will be delivered in
partnership with other key agencies, such as 180 Health in Mind activities in partnership with the
Public Health Agency, Aware Defeat Depression, Action Mental Health, CAUSE and Mindwise. Health
in Mind activities provide mental well being information, support and guidance for people affected by
mental illness, their families and carers. There will also be 50 Job Clubs meeting in libraries in
partnership with the Department for Employment and Learning and the Social Security Agency.
The Libraries network will be used in partnership with other key agencies providing opportunities to
deliver programmes that directly impact positively on poverty and social exclusion. Libraries NI will
develop 3 new strategic partnerships which will have an agreed action plan in place to address shared
priorities in relation to poverty and social exclusion. Partnership working with local communities will
also be central to this work, and LNI will develop a minimum of 100 new local partnerships across
libraries serving areas of social need in order to increase participation in the public library service by
those living in deprived areas.
Staff resources will also be directed at addressing poverty and social exclusion, with experienced
library staff reallocated from their substantive role to take forward work in libraries in areas of social
need through community engagement and outreach. Libraries NI will also provide information in all
public libraries in partnership with Volunteer Now on volunteering as a means of acquiring skills and
experience to enhance job readiness.
In autumn 2013 a review of Delivering Public Libraries will be published and will include a revised set
of public library standards, with one specifically aimed at increasing library usage amongst people
living in the most deprived areas.
21
Museums
Recent improvements to the museums estate have provided outstanding facilities in which to display
world class exhibitions, some of which have earned prestigious awards. Exhibition highlights during
2012-13 included The Age of the Dinosaur and Ten Drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci. The Armagh
Planetarium and the W5 Science Centre have continued to make a significant contribution to
enhancing the public’s understanding of science and take-up of STEM/STEAM subjects. The
Planetarium has been involved with innovative outreach and teacher education programmes and the
delivery of the prestigious STEMNET contract which connects schools and businesses through the
application of science. The Armagh Observatory continues to attract and support esteemed
academics and scientists from the international astronomical community and promotes scientific
knowledge to all sections of society, for example through the Astropark, the Human Orrery and
through talks and lectures.
National Museums NI and the NI Museums Council, through the implementation of the NI Museums
Policy, will continue to protect and enhance the cultural assets they hold, and prioritise programmes,
activities and resources that tackle poverty and social exclusion.
Unemployed 16-24 year olds, children and young people at risk and those who are the least likely to
have active involvement with museums will be encouraged to visit museums through a number of
programmes and initiatives during 2013-14. There will be 20 initiatives specifically targeting those
living in the most deprived areas. Tailored museums visits will be arranged for some of the most
marginalised young people in our society to provide new experiences and opportunities which
broaden outlooks through programmes designed to challenge, engage and inspire. 7,000 school
visitors to National Museums sites will be facilitated from schoolchildren from the areas of multiple
deprivation as identified using the Multiple Deprivation Measure and the Extended Schools
Programme. NMNI will also deliver STEM programmes to 10,000 participants, designed to inspire
children and young people to pursue a career in a STEM related area. NMNI will also promote
awareness of these programmes through specific interventions for schools in socially deprived areas.
National Museums will also deliver a new ‘Horizons’ programme to help reduce economic inactivity
through skills, training and job creation, including targeted activity to attract those living in areas of
social deprivation, including 15 work experience opportunities for young unemployed people,
allowing them to improve their employability and general wellbeing; 5 ‘Work Inspiration’ sessions to
schools located in areas of multiple deprivation; a scheme for 30 volunteers to gain valuable new skills
to assist them re-enter the labour market; holding 10 mock interview sessions for ‘Strive to Work’
clients; creating 5 Graduate Acceleration Programme placement opportunities; and recruit an
apprentice blacksmith and explore opportunities to recruit other apprentices in traditional skills and
crafts.
2012 Olympics and Paralympics
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a resounding success with huge numbers of people
participating in or attending sports, arts and cultural events related to the Games. Highlights included
the Ireland leg of the Olympic Torch relay which was witnessed by 300,000 people – making it the
biggest public and community engagement event ever held here – and the Cultural Olympiad which
had an estimated aggregate attendance of 500,000 across all events since 2009. The Cultural
Olympiad culminated in over 20 world class events here in summer 2012. The Paralympic Flame
events, involving over 12,000 participants, were further highlights.
DCAL proactively promoted the London 2012 Inspire programme, enabling 90 projects to be formally
recognised as being exceptional and excellent. These programmes alone created more than one
million opportunities for young people in local communities to take part in Games-inspired activities.
This experience has built confidence, capacity and capability in our Arts sector, which is being applied
in the City of Culture events in Derry and the World Police and Fire Games.
22
Over 1,000 international athletes trained here in the run-up to the Games and over 400 volunteers
from here were recruited as Games Makers. Much of this work is being applied in 2013 through the
World Police and Fire Games.
One of the key legacies from the Games is the DCAL funded Disability Sport NI Education and
Awareness Programme which has, to date, involved over 25,000 primary school children in over 150
schools. This programme is designed to increase children’s awareness and understanding of disability
while at the same time inspiring them to become more active.
The success of our local athletes at the Games - 5 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals - will continue to
inspire our young people to get active and lead healthier lifestyles in the future, and will be built on
through delivery of Sport Matters: The Sport and Physical Recreation Strategy
Since 2008 DCAL has provided around £158,000 to the 5 star Disability Sports Challenge. This
innovative education project has raised both adult’s and children’s awareness and understanding of
disability sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This important project has gone from
strength to strength over the past four years and has reaped tangible benefits. A total of 25,781
children from 177 primary schools and 9 community events completed the project between March
2009 and September 2012.
Salmon and Inland Fisheries
Inland Fisheries Group (IFG) aims to manage our natural fisheries resources in a sustainable way to
add social and economic value. During 2012-13 a review of DCAL Fisheries Strategy was undertaken,
and it is developing and implementing a new strategy for the next 5-10 years.
Central to this strategy will be promoting equality, tackling poverty and social exclusion. Good work
has already been undertaken: for example, during 2012-13 IFG purchased rods and reels to be used
for free by children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. IFG also transferred
ownership of unlicensed angling equipment it had seized to the Ulster Angling Federation for use in
programmes designed to encourage greater uptake of angling amongst women, people with
disabilities and those from disadvantaged communities providing physical and mental health benefits
from participation in angling.
Going forward, a number of specific activities will contribute further to promoting equality, tackling
poverty and social exclusion. IFG will appoint a community outreach officer to develop and promote
angling and associated environmental programmes to groups and schools, specifically targeting
groups in the social, health and crime reduction sectors. It will support two initiatives to encourage
greater participation in angling from target groups in areas with high levels of multiple deprivation,
and provide 200 complimentary licences and permits to encourage uptake of angling amongst target
groups living in these areas. It will also work in partnership with agencies and community
organisations to deliver 4 programmes promoting angling, targeting groups in the social, health and
crime reduction sectors, and provide two additional disabled angling stands at Public Angling Estate
waters. IFG will extend an existing programme to provide free fish to support angling development
and participation amongst young people. It is anticipated that availability will be increased
significantly in 2013-14.
IFG will also continue to maintain and develop the fisheries which make up the public angling estate
and will work in co-operation with Tourism Ireland and others to promote them.
DCAL will work with its key stakeholders to develop policies which will ensure sustainability, and this
will include the development and implementation of measures to meet our obligations under EU
Regulations and International Agreements and measures agreed after the 2012 public consultation on
salmon conservation measures. DCAL will also continue to work with DEFRA to establish measures for
23
the recovery of European eel stock, and will increasingly work with other fisheries partners to ensure
that policy is implemented in a consistent way across Ireland
World Police and Fire Games
DCAL, through World Police and Fire Games Ltd, has been working hard throughout 2012 and 2013 to
ensure that the World Police and Fire Games, to be held in Belfast in August 2013, are the friendliest
Games ever. Overall the Games will feature 56 sports taking place across 41 venues across the north
of Ireland. The World Police and Fire Games will see thousands of visitors arriving from around the
globe. There are 16 workstreams underway including sports delivery, volunteer recruitment,
sponsorship, transport, accommodation, tourism and legacy, and significant progress has been made
in all areas. The sponsorship target has been exceeded, the volunteer recruitment and training
programme is well underway and the athlete registration numbers are continuing to increase.
As well as ensuring that all the international athletes and visitors have a memorable and enjoyable
experience at the Games, they will also deliver benefits for local people and help deliver change for
those most in need through a number of community based and legacy programmes developed to
promote equality, tackle poverty and social exclusion. For example, 3,600 volunteers are required for
the Games, and at least 5% are coming from Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. These volunteers will be
given training which will provide them with transferable skills which may assist unemployed
volunteers in finding subsequent employment. Sports equipment purchased for the Games is to be
distributed after the Games to relevant sports clubs in areas of greatest social need through the
relevant sports governing bodies. A schools roadshow encouraged schools to develop international
links to broaden cultural awareness and understanding of diversity through the WPFG Schools
Programme. Three charity partners have been appointed by 2013 WPFG Ltd: NI Cancer Fund for
Children; Special Educational Needs Advice Service and SOS Bus NI and work is underway to develop a
programme with charities to ensure they receive maximum exposure during the Games.
24
Public Record Office
PRONI has a significant input in relation to the Department’s priority of promoting equality and
tackling poverty and social exclusion. In respect of poverty, PRONI promotes the use of its archives as
an educational and skills resource, particularly in areas of need. During 2013-14, PRONI will engage
with at least one Area Board Coordinator to explore means to promote the use of archives for local
history projects (focusing on those schools within the Extended Schools Programme Key Stage 2 and
3 pupils) and will continue to collaborate with other members of the Department’s Learning Forum,
for example in the Lower Falls Intervention partnership.
Additionally, PRONI’s work has a substantial social impact, both in terms of helping to tackle exclusion
and promote community cohesion. A variety of work is ongoing in this area seeking to help the
socially excluded and the most vulnerable in our society. Substantial assistance has been provided to
the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry with the identification of relevant archival sources and
support for the Inquiry research team. Further significant work is anticipated during 2013-14. PRONI
will participate in at least three community festivals or events, for example, Féile an Phobail at Falls
Road Library and the Shankill Festival at Shankill Library, using the opportunity to deliver
presentations on how to use the archives and will invite members of the community to a ‘Bring a
th
Document’ session. PRONI will be supporting the 400 anniversaries of Belfast and Derry with the
delivery of a Public History conference to be held in the two locations and will explore Plantation
families. This is a free event, targeting community audiences. This work has the potential to bring
communities together and increase shared understanding.
In terms of promoting equality, PRONI’s mission is ‘Protecting and Providing Archives for All’.
Facilities are free to all at the point of access ensuring that they are available to all sections of the
community, while PRONI is actively promoting the ‘digital first’ agenda by putting a range of archives
online. The Valuation Revision Books went online at the end of March 2013, providing an invaluable
resource for local and community history. Future plans are for an updated Wills Index application to
go live by March 2014. This, too, will be a free resource, accessible to anyone with internet access
and supporting PRONI’s goals to increase access to archives particularly for those unable to visit
PRONI in person.
2012-13 saw further progress on PRONI’s Digital Preservation Project (with DFP). This major project,
scheduled to run until 2014, will establish a Digital Repository in PRONI for the transfer of records for
permanent preservation and use by future generations of users.
To increase accessibility and transparency, a major activity for 2013-14 will be managing the
transition to the ‘20 Year Rule’ by 2023 whereby the thirty year embargo on releasing certain public
records will be reduced to twenty years. The transition means that in each of the next ten years
PRONI will release two years of records each year. PRONI will continue to work with the University of
Ulster’s CAIN project [Conflict Archive on the Internet] to promote access to key documents and
enhance a shared understanding of our recent past.
25
Culture Division
Architecture and the Built Environment
DCAL’s policy on Architecture and the Built Environment (A+BE) aims to improve the quality of the
built environment while protecting the natural environment and realising the best outcomes from
public expenditure for the whole population.
The Ministerial Advisory Group [MAG] for Architecture and the Built Environment provides advice to
the Minister on the implementation and development of the policy. Key activities include:
-
Offering advice to public and private sector bodies;
Responding to public consultations;
Holding public events to raise awareness and inform policy; and
Conducting Design Reviews of significant publicly and
infrastructure schemes.
privately
commissioned
Priority areas of work include:
-
Promoting sustainable development principles and conserving the built and natural heritage;
Planning for places and engaging with councils in community planning;
Promoting quality places and landscapes, and improving the urban environment;
Public sector procurement policy
MAG promotes collaborative working and commissioning bodies are encouraged by DCAL to engage
with MAG when considering publicly funded infrastructure schemes. During 2012-13 the MAG
worked directly with two local councils providing advice about how to promote inclusion through
engaging local people in community plans using experiential consultation techniques. The MAG also
worked with a number of community based projects to assist groups and local people to articulate
better their needs in respect of infrastructure and public services. Such involvement seeks to secure
the best outcomes from investments in terms of place making and thereby improve the quality of life
for local residents and those who use the places by taking account of local needs and reflecting this in
the design and operation of schemes.
Arts
Much was achieved in the Arts sector in 2012-13. Highlights included the completion of the
Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC), a hugely successful Cultural Olympiad which attracted an estimated
500,000 people to various events here since 2009, and the Titanic Festival of Creative Arts. Behind the
scenes, the Arts Council NI (ACNI) has continued to support both audience development and skills
capacity development in the sector and DCAL has provided significant support to City of Culture 2013.
In 2013-14, DCAL’s investment in the arts will include: supporting established arts organisations
through the Annual Funding Programme, funding start-ups for new organisations and emerging art
forms, the Arts and Older Peoples’ Fund and the Community Festival Fund and requiring those who
receive funding to demonstrate how their funded activities are promoting equality and addressing
poverty and social exclusion. DCAL received ACNI’s draft 5 Year Strategy 2013-2018 following the
th
close of public consultation on 29 April. In tandem, DCAL is currently at the initial stages of scoping
the development of an Arts and Culture Strategy for the north.
ACNI will develop a Community Arts Strategy which will properly articulate the shared objectives of
DCAL, the Executive, the arts sector and local government, underpin the value of local commitment to
the arts and provide a framework for coherent co-ordination of policy and action. As part of the
initial phase of this policy an action plan will be developed by August 2013.
26
The Protect Life Strategy is a North-wide suicide prevention strategy developed by DHSSPS. It involves
all government departments strategically and funds direct suicide prevention projects at a community
level, including the key counselling organisation Lifeline, through the Public Health Agency. ACNI are
developing a communications strategy to raise awareness of suicide prevention, the Lifeline
organisation, promote positive mental health and engage with its stakeholders on this important
issue.
ACNI will deliver benefits to those living in deprived areas through the introduction of a Creative
Employment Scheme aimed at encouraging young talented people (NEETS) to develop their skills and
obtain employment in the creative sector. This programme, by which arts and cultural employers can
access support towards the costs of employing new apprentices and paid interns, will provide
traineeship opportunities for unemployed young people. The programme has been developed by
Creative and Cultural Skills and addresses skills gaps in the sector, encourages innovation and helps
alleviate current high levels of youth unemployment.
ACNI will also bring forward a musical instruments programme. The programme will deliver a range of
both classical and traditional musical instruments, digital platforms and devices to children in primary
schools in socially deprived areas. It will enable children who have musical ability or interests the
opportunity to avail of the loan of an instrument or the opportunity to explore digital methods of
creating, mixing and recording music free of charge. This programme will operate in extended schools
thereby contributing towards tackling poverty and social exclusion.
DCAL will also support NI Screen in its delivery of benefits to those living in deprived areas through
initiatives such as the After School Film Clubs, the Creative Learning Centres, Belfast Film Festival and
Digital Film Archive
Decade of Centenaries
The political, social and cultural consequences of the 1912 -1922 period shaped identities in Ireland
and north, south, east and west relationships that reverberate to this day. These events include the
Home Rule crisis, the Easter Rising, the First World War, and partition. On behalf of the Executive,
DCAL and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment are jointly developing an inclusive
approach to mark the Decade of Centenaries. DCAL will promote the vital role of the arts, museums,
libraries and archives in telling the stories and different interpretations behind these significant
events.
Creative Industries
DCAL is the Executive’s lead Department on the creative industries. During 2011-15 DCAL will invest
£4m via the Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) and through wider sectoral initiatives to
stimulate innovation, R&D and creativity. The catalytic potential of the creative and cultural industries
can also fuel social innovation and responses to societal challenges across health, education and in
tackling poverty and social exclusion.
In 2012-13 a total of 98 business awards were made through CIIF (which is administered by ACNI) to
local creative enterprises to help companies develop new content, products, services and experience
capable of competing in global markets. The Department’s strategic leadership also included a focus
on initiatives promoting equality of opportunity and supporting areas of social and economic
disadvantage. This included working with a range of social partners in areas such as:


A pilot regional ‘Coderdojo’ framework supporting the development of computer
programming skills at a young age and specifically targeting disadvantaged areas;
Community based approaches to promoting interest and skills in the creative industries;
27


Showcasing the support available to teachers and youth leaders through the Creative
Learning Centres and ways digital technologies can support education and skills
development;
Regional learning and skills programme throughout the libraries network as part of Creativity
Month.
In 2013-14 the Department will bring forward a collaborative framework to support the creative
economy and a more inclusive agenda of social innovation. DCAL will stimulate and drive crossdepartmental collaboration as well as partnership initiatives with industry, academia and the
community and voluntary sectors. The Executive’s vision for the North’s economy is one where there
is “growing employment and prosperity for all”. In supporting the growth of the creative industries,
DCAL is committed to extending these objectives and benefits to the most deprived areas and
sections of our community.
The Department will also introduce social clauses into the Creative Industries Innovation Fund
requiring companies in receipt of grant support to participate in a schools engagement programme
promoting STEM/STEAM in schools in disadvantaged areas. This will inspire future entrants into the
sector and raise aspiration to develop skills and qualifications supporting career routes into the
creative industries.
The STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design and Mathematics) agenda is a key
government priority. DCAL will work with its Arm’s Length Bodies and wider stakeholders to fully
utilise the skills, resources, content and programmes provided by the region’s creative and cultural
organisations and infrastructure. These can provide STEM/STEAM experiences and insights that add
value to teachers and the learning experiences of students and lifelong learners and in particular
inspire and support young people from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds.
City of Culture 2013
In 2013, Derry is the first ever UK City of Culture. In order to host this year long celebration, a vast
amount of planning and preparation has taken place to ensure that the experience for visitors from
across the world will be second to none.
DCAL is delivering £12.6 million of Executive funding to ensure that the City of Culture is a huge
success and has processes in place to ensure value for money is achieved and opportunities are
maximised to deliver long lasting benefits in terms of increased social cohesion, educational
attainment, health and economic activity which are in line with DCAL's high level objectives.
The Culture Company was established by Derry City Council in 2012 to deliver an exciting and dynamic
Cultural Programme of activities and events involving local, national and international artists and
cultural organisations. A broad range of these events and projects have been delivered to date, for
example sell-out performances in the Venue 2013 of the Hofesch Schecter contemporary dance
'Political Mother' which was performed by local musicians and dancers from some of the City's most
deprived wards; the London Symphony Orchestra and other high profile concerts.
A range of outcomes and targets are in place to achieve step changes for local people through job
creation, economic growth, attracting new visitors and increasing visitor spend as well as changing
perceptions of the City up to 2020.
Further events planned for 2013 range from major international events such as the Turner Prize and
All Ireland Fleadh, which are designed to attract visitors and raise the City’s profile as a cultural hub,
to community events designed to develop skills and build community confidence. One of the Culture
Company’s key objectives is ‘To deliver step changes in equality, good relations and social cohesion
through culturally led regeneration’.
28
A range of measures are currently being refined around the City's existing strengths in the digital and
creative industries; music making and the City's built heritage. As the City of Culture year progresses,
DCAL officials are working closely with Derry City Council officials to ensure that it has in place a
legacy plan which will deliver against these objectives. Legacy aims and actions are underpinned by
the City's One Plan regeneration plan which maps the aspirations of the City and is supported by the
Executive through a cross Departmental Implementation Group.
At the end of 2013, Derry will hand over to the next City of Culture chosen to host the title during
2017.
Languages
Líofa
Líofa aims to encourage every citizen – regardless of their background or level of expertise – to
embrace the inclusivity and enrichment of the Irish language. The initiative aims to increase the
number of people speaking Irish, improve fluency, broaden the appeal of the Irish language and
promote the benefits of language acquisition to the individual and community. Since its launch in
September 2011, 4,077 people have signed up to the initiative and given this level of success, the
original target of 2,015 participants by 2015 has been increased to 5000. The Minister launched a
pilot Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme in 2012 to provide financial support for individuals to attend an
intensive Irish Language Gaeltacht Course, in the Donegal Gaeltacht. A total of 42 applicants secured a
place on the scheme which was targeted at Líofa applicants who were from socially/economically
deprived backgrounds. Following a positive evaluation of the pilot an extended scheme offering
support for up to 100 individuals has been launched for 2013-14.
Foras na Gaeilge
In 2012, Foras na Gaeilge continued to undertake supportive projects and grant aided various bodies
to support the language through a range of schemes covering education, the community and
business, the public sector and the arts and through promotional activities to facilitate and encourage
the increased use of the language in public and private life. Key projects included developing
terminologies and launching an on line English-Irish dictionary on a phased basis. Foras na Gaeilge
also continued to support Irish medium education and the teaching of Irish on the island of Ireland
and in addition Foras na Gaeilge contributed towards the implementation of the Irish Government’s
20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language and the development of the draft Strategy for Protecting and
Enhancing the development of the Irish Language in the north. This important work will continue in
2013. Foras na Gaeilge also made proposals for the restructuring of core funding support for the Irish
language and undertook at the request of Ministers north and south additional work to consider how
such proposals would impact on the strategies for Irish. Further proposals for core funding will be
presented to the North South Ministerial Council for consideration and approval during 2013-14.
Ulster-Scots Agency
The Ulster-Scots Agency continues to promote Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture across the
island, within local communities and the education system (in particular through its new Ulster-Scots
Flagship Schools programme which was launched in late 2012). Increased opportunities for people to
learn about Ulster-Scots and develop creative skills are provided through community festivals,
afterschool clubs, Agency-delivered tuition, and music and dance tuition grants to community groups.
The Agency has also been working collaboratively to identify and develop the contribution of UlsterScots to our tourism offer. Further work will also be undertaken to develop the north/south
dimension of the Agency’s work, including specific support for Ulster-Scots communities in the border
29
counties. Work also continues in developing new language, culture and heritage initiatives between
here and Scotland.
Ministerial Advisory Group – Ulster-Scots Academy (MAGUS)
A public consultation on the MAGUS Development & Research Strategy and associated grant scheme
was completed.
Promoting equality and tacking poverty and social exclusion is reflected in all key MAGUS projects.
Some examples include:




grants to ten Councils to research and develop local Ulster-Scots heritage tourism products,
including tourism iApps to increase awareness of the Ulster-Scots contribution to the history
of the areas and boost local tourism;
an Ulster-Scots tourism event to bring together providers, tour operators and industry
bodies to raise the profile of the Ulster-Scots tourism product;
an Ulster-Scots archaeological survey is providing significant educational opportunities for
schools and cross community engagement and valuable learning resources and research;
and
Steps to progress standardisation of the Ulster-Scots language involving an Ulster-Scots
Spelling Guide and Glossary, an Orthography Panel and a Literary Encyclopaedia Project.
The MAGUS and Ulster-Scots Agency have formed a ‘Joint Education Taskforce’ to progress the use of
Ulster-Scots educational materials as part of the school curriculum.
In 2013-14, the MAGUS will engage proactively with those working to promote positive community
self-confidence through cultural activities and has set a target of at least 25% of its proposed Grant
Scheme to be allocated to community or joint venture projects involving the community. The MAGUS
will also encourage local government to work with Ulster-Scots community groups in the formulation
and delivery of local research projects. A major education and digitisation project to develop
curriculum materials and provide a single research access point is also planned.
Sign Language Partnership Group (SLPG)
DCAL administers and funds the SLPG which brings together organisations representing the Deaf
Community and 11 government departments to improve access to public services for British and Irish
Sign Language users. The SLPG contributes to tackling poverty and social exclusion among the Deaf
community and, in 2012-13, provided funding for the following projects:



Providing personal and social development programmes for Deaf people to redress their
educational and academic underachievement in order to reach their full potential and enhance
their employment prospects;
Building capacity to enable all public services to become accessible to Deaf people and allowing
the sign language user to be fully included in society; and
Building capacity to have sign language recognised officially as a ‘’linguistic and cultural
minority’’ language in order to develop policy to ensure continued provision of funding and
services for the Deaf community.
SLPG funding in 2013-14 will continue to be directed towards these priorities.
30
Cultural Awareness Strategy
The aim of the Cultural Awareness Strategy is to address the historical tensions between the
indigenous cultural traditions in the north to develop greater tolerance, understanding and respect
for our indigenous cultural traditions. An important objective of the Strategy is its ability to reach and
influence a significant number of people in the north which is key to addressing social exclusion
experienced by sections of both communities. The Department is working with the Gaelic Athletic
Association (GAA) and The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) to deliver the objectives of the
strategy. Targets for 2012-13 were agreed with GAA and GOLI for an outreach and engagement
programme that enabled both organisations to jointly reach out to all sections of the community with
the aim of reducing distrust and misunderstanding by building understanding of each others’ cultural
traditions in the north and contributing towards a shared and better future.
Irish Language and Ulster Scots Language Heritage and Culture Strategies
DCAL successfully conducted separate public consultations on a strategy for Protecting and Enhancing
the Development of the Irish language and the Ulster-Scots Language, Heritage and Culture. Bringing
forward both strategies will contribute to the Executive's agreed Programme for Government 20112015 – to deliver against Priority 4: 'Building a Strong and Shared Community’ and is in line with the
NI Act 1998 which places duties on the Executive to adopt both strategies.
Waterways
DCAL Inland Waterways
In partnership with local authorities and the voluntary and community sector, DCAL continued to
manage canal towpaths in 2012-13. In addition, under the Inland Waterways Water Recreation
Development Programme, in conjunction with local councils the Department grant aided 6 projects
which included a canoe slalom, interpretative signage and the installation of an outdoor exercise ‘Trim
Trail’. These facilities are free for everyone to use and it is a stipulation of the Programme that projects
address social exclusion. The Water Recreation Programme is continuing in 2013-14. Funding was also
made available to the Lough Neagh Partnership to engage with local rural communities around the
lough to explore how they could develop the cultural and leisure tourist potential of the Lough.
In 2013-14, key challenges include work towards registration of assets on the Lagan Canal and
investigations into the provision of a safe system of navigation markers for Lough Neagh. DCAL will
also be considering the outcomes of a study into the potential for re-opening the former Lagan
Navigation.
Waterways Ireland
In 2012, under the stewardship of Waterways Ireland, work progressed on the opening of the Ulster
Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. The 2012 Sponsorship Programme of Events was very
successful with an estimated 150,000 visitors attending these events. Other highlights included the
commencement in Autumn 2012 of work on the Portna depot on the Lower Bann.
2013-14 will be a challenging period for Waterways Ireland given the pressure on resources though
frontline services will be maintained as a matter of priority. Work will continue on the Ulster Canal
from Upper Lough Erne to Clones.
31
DCAL Learning Strategy
The key aim of the DCAL Learning Strategy is to contribute to and support the creativity and lifelong
learning agenda, by developing the capacities of all our people for creativity and innovation, and so
promote and sustain the social, cultural and economic well-being of the north. The department and
its ALBs provide a wide range of lifelong learning opportunities from informal skills development to
those linked to the curriculum and STEM agenda using its unique culture, arts and leisure resources.
During 2012-13 the After School Film clubs funded by NI Screen enabled over 8,000 members
attending schools in deprived areas to develop improved analytical, communication and literacy skills.
The Department also invested £20,000 in the Lower Falls area to develop a pilot mobile iPad platform
and community resource to promote learning and tackle social exclusion. With the support of the
West Belfast Partnership Board and other public bodies the Department aims during 2013-14 to
develop a community driven approach to learning linked to the education curriculum and life-long
learning agenda. It will support numeracy and literacy initiatives in schools as well as other projects
linked to areas such as health, after school revision classes and life-long learning. Overall it will help
young people in the Lower Falls area to realise their true potential and support efforts to tackle social
exclusion and lift communities out of the poverty trap.
32
Other Issues
Organisational Development
Internal improvements were made within DCAL during the period 2012-13 to ensure that the
Department continues to operate effectively and efficiently and continues to deliver quality services
in the face of considerable budgetary constraints. In particular, operational capacity has been
increased in respect of stadium development, north-south operations, languages and the City of
Culture Cultural Programme of Events.
Review of Arm’s Length Bodies
One of the most significant areas of organisational development in DCAL is its Review of Arm’s-Length
Bodies which commenced in November 2011. The Review has critically analysed the functions and
performance of Sport NI, National Museums NI, and the NI Museums Council. In addition, reviews
have commenced in respect of Arts Council, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and NI Screen and
are scheduled to finish in early 2013-14.
The Review involves an assessment of:
 how the functions of these bodies fit with our Programme for Government commitments
and Departmental priorities;
 respective roles and responsibilities;
 effectiveness of accountability systems;
 delivery / performance;
 value for money.
The Review will provide an analysis and recommendations for future delivery options for each ALB.
EU Engagement
DCAL takes a co-ordinated and proactive approach to maximising EU funding opportunities, with a
focus on providing support for our delivery bodies and third party funded organisations to access
funding directly. This approach involves identifying funding opportunities, aligning policy and
objectives with the availability of funding, and building networks of contacts to ensure DCAL has
visibility in the EU landscape.
DCAL plays an important role in the Executive’s European Priorities, in particular in the areas of
innovation and technology and social cohesion. Specific objectives where DCAL is in the lead include
the creative industries, STEM/STEAM, and networking projects for artists.
Research
DCAL has in place a research programme to improve the evidence base available within the
Department to help with the development of new programmes and policies. Among the research
within the programme is a study looking at the social value of DCAL funded learning programmes;
analysis of the creative industries; a study to measure the value placed on public libraries here; and an
examination of the factors which affect participation in DCAL activities.
33
Monitoring Performance
An internal monitoring paper, detailing progress (on a red-amber-green scale) against all targets in
DCAL’s Business Plan will be produced quarterly, commencing in September. The monitoring paper is
made up of returns completed by each business area in DCAL. Each target in the monitoring paper is
clearly defined, is accompanied by key actions, and is assigned to a lead official.
The monitoring paper is forwarded to the Departmental Board for scrutiny. The Board examines in
detail progress against each target and if necessary seek clarification on progress from the relevant
Director. In cases where the Board has concerns about the delivery of a target, the Board can request
that a formal report is provided by the relevant business area. In cases where there are serious
concerns about target delivery, the Board can directly intervene to ensure that the target is met.
Progress against the measures and targets listed in DCAL’s Business Plan will be reported on in the
DCAL Resource Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2014, to be published in July 2014.
DCAL Objectives and Targets 2013-14
DCAL’s operations are driven by the Programme for Government and its Mission Statement.
The following tables set out the key objectives and targets which we will seek to achieve in 2013-14;
these reflect a somewhat different approach from the previous two years and are in line with the
Department’s revised Mission Statement and its new approach to mainstreaming our statutory and
public policy objectives. The Scorecard has been simplified into two sections – what DCAL will deliver
and how DCAL will deliver.
The DCAL Business Plan is part of a linked hierarchy of business plans within Government. At the top
tier there is the Programme for Government, the Investment Strategy, and the Economic Strategy,
each with targets and commitments allocated across the government departments. The DCAL
Business Plan resides in the tier below the top tier and reflects DCAL’s commitments to these high
level strategies plus important operations carried out at Departmental level. More detailed business
plans exist at lower levels within DCAL at divisional and branch level. There is therefore a clear line of
sight between the work at branch level in DCAL right through to the strategic Executive and
Departmental priorities.
34
DCAL Objectives and Targets 2013-14
Key Objectives
WHAT DCAL WILL DO
DCAL will contribute to building a sustainable economic model and tackling
deprivation through meeting its Programme for Government commitments and
through delivering culture, arts and leisure programmes/projects which promote
equality, tackle poverty and address social exclusion
HOW DCAL WILL DO THIS
Effective operation of governance and accountability mechanisms
Compliance with all finance, audit and statutory requirements, in particular the duty to
promote equality
Effective staff management and development
Effective resource management
Efficient and effective internal and external structures which best promote
collaborative working
35
WHAT DCAL WILL DO
DCAL will contribute to building a sustainable economic model and tackling deprivation through
meeting its Programme for Government commitments and through delivering culture, arts and leisure
programmes/projects which promote equality, tackle poverty and address social exclusion
Ref
Stadiums
1
2
Sport
3
4
5
6
7
Libraries
8
9
10
Museums
11
12
13
14
15
Fisheries
16
Target to be achieved by 31 March 2014
To ensure Stadium Development Programme is delivered to agreed milestones.
To continue development of the Stadium Development Programme Benefits
Realisation Plan as individual Full Business Cases are completed, and finalise the
Business Realisation Plan by 30 September 2013.
By 31 March 2014, to have increased the proportion of people in the north of Ireland
who are members of at least one sports club.
By 31 March 2014, through targeted investment in mediums such as ‘midnight soccer’,
to provide opportunities to participate in sport and physical recreation for 800 young
people from socially excluded and deprived backgrounds.
By 31 March 2014, to deliver the Disability 5* Challenge in 10 mainstream schools
targeting 1,500 young people.
By 31 March 2014, to increase the number of schools participating in the Activ8
Programme to 240 schools, including 60 schools serving areas of highest multiple
deprivation
By 31 March 2014 to have reached key milestones in respect of the Boxing Strategy
2015 targets:
At least 70 clubs to receive new equipment and/or undergo facilities improvement
Club membership (total) to increase from 6,027 to 6,629 persons
Club membership (females) to increase from 1,182 to 1,418 persons
To increase overall participation in libraries in areas with highest multiple deprivation:
Tier 1 libraries by 1%
Tier 2 libraries by 0.5%
Tier 3 libraries by 1%
By 31 March 2014 to deliver 1,700 Got IT sessions in libraries to support adults to get
online.
By 31 March 2014 to deliver 180 Health in Mind activities in partnership with strategic
partners.
By 31 March 2014, National Museums NI to organise 20 initiatives specifically targeted
at those living in areas with highest multiple deprivation.
By 31 March 2014, to host 7,000 museum visits by schoolchildren from areas of
highest multiple deprivation.
By 31 March 2014, to deliver STEM programmes to 9,000 participants, including
participants from the areas of highest multiple deprivation.
By 31 March 2014, to deliver an Extended Schools Programme and 7 Parent Support
Programmes.
By 31 March 2014, W5 to deliver 1,000 STEM learning opportunities.
By 31 March 2014, to develop a Community Outreach Programme and a range of
initiatives to introduce 1,000 people belonging to target groups to the sport of angling.
36
17
WPFG
18
19
PRONI
20
21
By 31 March 2014, to develop an Inland Fisheries Group Work Placement Initiative
which provides 10 work placement opportunities throughout the Inland Fisheries
Group estate for people belonging to target groups.
To host the World Police and Fire Games in August 2013.
To provide 3,600 volunteers for the World Police and Fire Games.
By 31 March 2014, PRONI will deliver presentations on how to use archives and host
Bring a Document sessions in at least 3 community festivals.
By 31 March 2014, PRONI will deliver the online resource The Updated Wills Index
application.
Architecture and Built Environment
22
Provide expert assistance to at least 10 councils or community groups to develop place
making proposals which specifically promote equality and/or tackle poverty and social
exclusion.
Arts
23
24
25
26
NI Screen
27
28
By 31 March 2014, develop and consult on an Arts and Culture Strategy for the north
which will seek views on the potential for the arts and culture sector as a driver for the
achievement of broader social and economic goals such as social inclusion and
cohesion, urban regeneration, tourism, inward investment, employment, the
development of high added value creative industries, education and health.
By 31 March 2014, ACNI to develop and deliver The Musical Partnership Programme,
which will provide a range of both classical and traditional musical instruments, digital
platforms and devices to all primary schools in areas of highest multiple deprivation.
By 31 March 2014, ACNI will undertake an audit of existing services in local
communities with the Public Health Agency and health professionals and will develop
a pilot initiative in designated areas and will establish appropriate delivery mechanism
as part of the Protect Life Strategy.
By 31 March 2014, ACNI will finalise a Community Arts Strategy which will properly
articulate the shared objectives of DCAL, the Executive, the arts sector and local
government, underpin the value of local commitment to the arts and provide a
framework for coherent co-ordination of policy and action. As part of the initial phase
of this policy development, an Action Plan will be developed during June-August 2013.
By 31 March 2014, Creative Learning Centres to provide introductory or follow-up
training courses in Creative Digital Technology to at least 2,150 teachers.
NI Screen will deliver at least 40 outreach events/presentations per annum with a
minimum of:
15 presentations dedicated to working with older persons or for health charities;
5 presentations delivered in areas of deprivation;
5 presentations delivered for women’s or men’s groups.
Creative Industries
29
By 31 March 2014, to have supported 150 organisations through the Creative
Industries Innovation Fund which undertake innovation and research and development
activity in support of export focused growth.
30
By 31 March 2014, to bring forward a framework approach focusing on collaboration
and sharing of knowledge and ideas between industry, government and academia to
support the creative economy and wider social innovation.
31
By 31 March 2014, to have met key milestones in respect of the Music Business
Support Programme 2013-16.
37
City of Culture
32
By 31 March 2014, to provide up to £12.6 million support to the Cultural Programme
of Events in the City of Culture 2013 in line with the Executive’s Programme for
Government commitment.
33
By 31 March 2014, to provide assistance to Derry City Council in the development and
implementation of a Legacy Framework and Legacy Action Plan in respect of the City
of Culture 2013.
Languages
34
35
36
37
38
39
By 31 March 2014, to agree strategies for protecting and enhancing the development
of the Irish language and the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture as set out in
the Executive's agreed Programme for Government 2011-2015.
By 31 March 2014 to develop proposals for Irish language legislation.
To deliver a Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme for 100 people from Líofa applicants who are
from socially/economically deprived backgrounds.
By 31 March 2014, to fund projects, via open competition, from deaf organisations
that will improve access to public services for British and Irish Sign Language users.
Through the Cultural Awareness Strategy, DCAL to support events delivered by the
Grand Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA):
a) GAA and GOLI to arrange and deliver one joint good relations event by 31 March
2014;
b) GOLI to deliver 4 events to organisations/groups linked to their declared
community background and 8 events to organisations/groups linked to all other
communities in north of Ireland by 31 March 2014;
c) GAA to deliver 4 events to organisations/groups linked to their declared
community background and 8 events to organisations/groups linked to all other
communities in north of Ireland by 31 March 2014.
To fund up to 10 Ulster-Scots development and research projects which will provide
learning opportunities for schools and local communities in socially deprived areas.
Inland Waterways
40
By 31 March 2014, to fund at least 5 water recreation projects which provide
accessible opportunities for all and target those experiencing poverty and social
exclusion.
Cross-Cutting
41
To incorporate appropriate Social Clauses in all new procurement projects and in
appropriate programmes of grant aid [CIIF, Support for Individual Artists, Athlete
Support].
42
All relevant business areas and ALBs to provide appropriate exhibitions, outreach
activity and community engagement in respect of centenary commemorations.
HOW DCAL WILL DO THIS
38
Ref
Target to be achieved by 31 March 2014
Effective operation of governance and accountability mechanisms
43
All arm’s length body assurance statements to be rated satisfactory for the year 201314.
Compliance with all finance, audit and statutory requirements, in particular the duty to promote
equality
44
Section 75 Annual Progress Report and Disability Action Plan to be completed by 31
August 2013.
Effective staff management and development
45
By 31 March 2014, to have completed preparations for the retention of IIP
accreditation.
46
By 31 March 2014, all staff to have received briefing delivered on inequality and
deprivation.
47
To achieve an average of 6.5 days sickness absence per employee for the year 201314.
Effective resource management
48
To have between 99% and 100% of budget allocation spent.
49
To have completed year end accounts laid with Assembly by commencement of
summer recess 2013.
Efficient and effective internal and external structures which best promote collaborative working
50
By 31 March 2014, to complete the Review of Arm’s Length Bodies.
39
Appendix A
Relevant Case Law
It is worthwhile considering some relevant case law in relation to Equality when considering the
Department’s policy approach in this area
Purposive Interpretation of the NI Act 1998
4
In Robinson v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the NI Act 1998 was referenced and Lord
Hoffman considered how one must interpret the act when he was choosing between two alternative
constructions –
“it is necessary to have regard to the background to the 1998 Act…. The 1998 Act is a
constitution for Northern Ireland, framed to create a continuing form of government against
the background of the history of the territory and the principles agreed in Belfast.”
Later in his judgment Lord Hoffman endorsed this approach of contextual and purposive
interpretation, stating the following –
“The long title of the Act is ‘to make new provision for the government of Northern Ireland for
the purpose of implementing the agreement reached at multi-party talks on Northern
Ireland...’. According to established principles of interpretation, the Act must be construed
against the background of the political situation in Northern Ireland and the principles laid
down by the Belfast Agreement for a new start. These facts and documents form part of the
admissible background for the construction of the Act just as much as the Revolution, the
Convention and the Federalist Papers are the background to construing the Constitution of
the United States.”
5
In the case of Colma McKee vs DENI , there is also relevant guidance although it should be noted that
this did not primarily focus on the issue of s75 (although it did consider broader equality issues).
Rather the case focused on the interpretation of the Education (NI) Order 1998 and the Education and
Libraries (NI) Order 1986.
The case considered the need to consider the context of the Orders, especially in light of the
commitment made under the Good Friday Agreement to encourage and facilitate Irish Medium
6
7
Education. The court considered whether a specific article (article 89 ) within the Education (NI)
Order 1998 was to be considered merely aspirational.
In his judgment Treacy J stated the following –
“I do not accept (the respondents contention) that this duty is merely aspirational. The
imposition of the statutory duty has and is intended to have practical consequences and
legislative significance. Thus it does not follow that the proper discharge of this duty, for
example in the field of transport, would set a precedent in respect of other education sectors
to whom this statutory duty is not owed. As noted at para 8 the establishment of a (costly)
4
Robinson [2002] UKHL 32
McKee [2011] NIQB 98
6
Stated as follows – “Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity. Economic, Social and Cultural
Issues. 4. In the context of active consideration currently being given to the UK signing the Council of
Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the British Government will in particular in
relation to the Irish Language, where appropriate and where people so desire it:….place a statutory
duty on the Department of Education to encourage and facilitate Irish medium education in line with
current provision for integrated education.”
7
Article 89(1) states the following – “It shall be the duty of the Department to encourage and
facilitate the development of Irish-medium education.”
5
40
Appendix A
precedent appears to have been decisive in the past in the respondents negative response.
However the respondent does not have a corresponding duty in relation to the traditional
established educational sector. Accordingly it may facilitate and encourage the IM post
primary sector in ways that it need not for other sectors by taking positive steps or removing
obstacles which inhibit the statutory objective. This does not appear to have been fully
appreciated by the respondent. Accordingly I consider that the respondent has failed to give
proper weight and consideration to its obligation under Art 89 to encourage and facilitate the
development of IM education. Ground 1 is made out and the respondent will therefore need
to give further consideration to the transport issue in the post primary Irish medium
education sector in light of the court’s ruling.”
The relevance of this judgment to Section 75 of the NI Act 1998 is that the Education (NI) Order 1998
was likewise meant to give effect to certain sections of the Good Friday Agreement. The ruling by
Treacy J correlates that the requirement to promote equality of opportunity is not merely
’aspirational’ but rather requires the Department to take clear and positive actions, and provides for
procedural adherence as well as permitting purposive affirmative action.
Definition of ‘Due Regard’
8
One precedent arose in respect of a public sector race equality duty in Great Britain where Dyson LJ
defined due regard as:
9
“The regard that is appropriate in all the circumstances. These include on the one hand the
importance of the areas of life of the members of the disadvantaged racial group that are
affected by the inequality of opportunity and the extent of the inequality; and on the other
hand, such countervailing factors as are relevant to the function which the decision-maker is
10
performing.”
11
Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan subsequently cited, Dyson LJ’s definition of due regard in
reference to duties under s75. This definition of due regard mandates the Department to take
proactive steps to address inequalities. It should be noted that this is a positive duty. It requires the
Department to weigh the measures needed to tackle assessed inequalities suffered by an individual or
group/sector against a range of ‘countervailing factors’.
Therefore, in respect of the DCAL Mission Statement which mainstreams the promotion of equality,
and in the context of the Department strategically discharging its public resources with economy,
efficiency, effectiveness and equality, the sectors of greatest inequality within the areas of greatest
objective need, can and should be positively prioritised for meaningful and effective intervention in
conjunction with enhanced community participation and consultation.
Definition of Equality of Opportunity
12
Girvan J considered this in the matter of an application by Peter Neill for Judicial Review :
8
This decision was made in respect of s71 of the Race Relations Act 1976 as amended; now
superseded by s149 Equality Act 2010.
9
In Baker [2008] EWCA Civ 141.
10
It should be noted that as this decision was made in the England and Wales Court of Appeal and
although it would not be considered automatically as binding in this jurisdiction, it is likely to be of
some weight as a persuasive precedent.
11
In ‘Tasers’ JR1, Application [2011] NIQB 5.
12
Neil [2005] NIQB 66. For the sake of completeness it is worth noting that this case was appealed
(see Neil [2006] NICA 5). However, the appeal was dismissed and in delivering his judgement Kerr LCJ
cited in agreement with Girvan J.
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Appendix A
“The width, ambit and boundaries of the concept of equality of opportunity are not
particularly clearly delineated. Parliament appears to have opted for a wide concept and
recognised that giving effect to the obligation to have ‘due regard’ to the need to promote
equality of opportunity would call for structured assessment, consultation, monitoring and
publicity.”
Girvan J also reinforced the need to consider equality provisions within the wider political, social,
economic and constitutional framework in the North:
“In approaching the provisions of section 75 and Schedule 9 one must bear in mind that these
provisions are part of a statute intended to be a new constitution for Northern Ireland framed
against the background of the history of Northern Ireland and the principles agreed in the socalled Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement was the product of multi-party negotiations
and was intended to be a balanced and carefully nuanced constitutional arrangement. The
equality provisions were a central part of the new arrangements (see generally Robinson v
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland [2002] UKHL particularly the speeches of Lord
Bingham and Lord Hoffman). (….) The term ‘equality of opportunity’ is as already noted an
undefined term and one capable of coming into play in a wide range of situations. As noted
in the history of the development of the concept and the introduction of the statutory duty
set out in the article by Professor McCrudden the genesis of the term in the 1998 Act was in
the Good Friday Agreement which itself drew on earlier uses of the concept, for example in
the Government’s PAFT policies. The concept seems to refer to equality of opportunity in
social as well as economic life.”
This judgement clearly premises the grounds for the DCAL Mission Statement. In implementing the
Department’s priority to Promote Equality and Tackle Poverty and Social Exclusion in society, DCAL is
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required to focus on positive outcomes in both social and economic life.
Conclusions
From examining the range of Parliamentary statements, to the clear directions from Treacy J (in
McKee 2011), Girvan J (in Neil 2005) and Lord Hoffman (in Robinson 2002), and relevant statute itself,
it is clear that interpretation of the NI Act 1998 must be considered in light of the Good Friday
Agreement, thereby lending s.75 a constitutional character in public law. At a very minimum it
requires that s.75 functions at a significantly higher level than a mere bureaucratic exercise. This is
seen most evidenced by the ruling in McKee 2011. Although McKee dealt with the Education (NI)
Order 1998, the parallels are immediately apparent. In the same way that duties under the Education
Order were considered to be more than merely aspirational, it is to be expected that the duty under
s75 is significantly more than aspirational.
This purposive interpretation clearly leads to an expectation of positive and effective affirmative
actions based on ongoing assessment, consultation, publicity, and monitoring, with regard to the
application of s75 as a basis of statutory authority when informing the wide margin of appreciation
that rests with the Minister's decision-making vis-a-vis the Department's functions. This
purposiveness is naturally carried out within the prevailing context of countervailing factors,
considering, for example, rationality, reasonableness, procedurality and lawfulness.
13
This also aligns with the definition of social exclusion as set out in the Lifetime Opportunities
Strategy. In Paragraph 13, Social Exclusion is defined as follows: “Government uses the term ‘social
exclusion’ to describe what can happen to people who are subject to the most severe problems.
Social exclusion has to do with poverty and joblessness – but it is more than that. It is about being cut
off from the social and economic life of our community.”
http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/central-anti-poverty-unit
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Feedback
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The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure,
Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EG
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corporate@dcalni.gov.uk
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or by the above email.
This document is also available on DCAL’s website at:
www.dcalni.gov.uk
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