Department for Communities

From 9th May 2016 The Department for Communities encompasses; the functions of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, including the Public Records Office Northern Ireland (but excluding Inland Fisheries and Waterways); Employment Service from the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL); Local Government from the Department of the Environment, including Built Heritage from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Debt Advice from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI); Financial Capability Strategy from DETI and Economic Activity Strategy for DEL.

Agencies and Other Associated Bodies

Appeals Service

The Appeals Service provides administrative support to independent tribunals which hear appeals against decisions made by the Department.

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

The Observatory and Planetarium merged on 1st April 2017 and are funded by grants from the Department of Communities for Northern Ireland and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the development and funding agency for the Arts in Northern Ireland.

Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the independent regulator of Northern Ireland charities. It was established under the Charities Act (NI) of 2008.

Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland

The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body, established by the Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. The Commissioner has a number of legal functions and powers directly linked to the legislation. The Commissioner's office is sponsored by the Executive Office of Northern Ireland. The Commissioner is independent and the principal aim of the office is to safeguard and promote the interests of older people.

Historic Buildings Council

The Historic Buildings Council was established in 1974 under the provisions of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. The Council is currently constituted under Section 198 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Historic Monuments Council

Historic Monuments Council advises on scheduling and conservation of monuments in state care, maritime archaeology, industrial and defence heritage and Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest within development plans.

Libraries NI

The Northern Ireland Library Authority (Libraries NI) was established in April 2009 as a result of the Review of Public Administration. Libraries NI has the statutory responsibility for the provision of public library services in Northern Ireland. Its functions are laid down in the Libraries Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland

The Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland is an executive non-departmental public body established under the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. Its powers were later extended under the Housing Orders 1976 and 1981, and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1992.

Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment for Northern Ireland

In September 2007 the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure, established the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Architecture and the Built Environment in Northern Ireland. Since the reorganisation of the NI Executive Departments, MAG now sits within the Department for Communities. Its primary role is to advise the Minister for Communities on the implementation and development of the Policy for Architecture and the Built Environment.

National Museums Northern Ireland

National Museums Northern Ireland cares for and presents the collections held at the Ulster Museum, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum and Ulster American Folk Park.

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

The Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People was created in accordance with The Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order (2003) to safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people in people in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the public housing authority for Northern Ireland. It is the enforcing authority for those parts of housing orders that involve houses with multiple occupants, houses that are unfit, and housing conditions.

Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee

The Local Government Pension Scheme Northern Ireland is managed by the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee. The Committee comprises 12 members and a Chairperson appointed by the Minister for Communities.

Northern Ireland Museums Council

The Northern Ireland Museums Council provides support to the local museums in Northern Ireland in maintaining and improving their standards of collections care and public services.

Office of the Social Fund Commissioner

This Office ceased to exist with the introduction of Welfare Reform. The core purpose of the Office of the Social Fund Commissioner was to deliver independent reviews of discretionary Social Fund decisions made in the Social Security Agency.

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

The Public Record Office in Northern Ireland is a division of the Department for Communities and operates under the statutory requirements set out the in the Public Records Act (NI) 1923. It plays a central role in identifying and ensuring that records of historical and other evidential importance are preserved for access.

Sport Northern Ireland

Sport Northern Ireland is the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland.

Ulster Supported Employment Limited

Ulster Supported Employment Limited helps employ, support, and train people with disabilities or health-related conditions across Northern Ireland.

Publications in this Department

Other Publications (Department for Communities)

Consultation papers, briefing documents, inquiries, reports and reviews (non-serial).