Consultation update
Details of significant consultation exercises currently being carried out by government departments and other public sector bodies in Northern Ireland. Queries on individual consultations should be referred to the organisation concerned, as outlined.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
There are no current consultations
Department for Employment and Learning
There are no current consultations
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
There are no current consultations
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Flood risk management plans
Opened 22 December
The flood risk management plans are key to the implementation of the EU Floods Directive. Its aim is to establish a framework that will contribute to reducing the impact of flooding on communities and the environment.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 22 June to: Alan Reddick, Strategic Planning Unit, Rivers Agency, Hydebank, 4 Hospital Road, Ballydollaghan, Belfast, BT8 8JP
Tel: 0845 3044505
Email: alan.reddick@dardni.gov.uk
Department of Finance and Personnel
There are no current consultations
Department for Regional Development
There are no current consultations
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Irish Language Bill proposals
Opened 10 February
This consultation highlights the potential value of an Irish Language Act. The department published a separate Irish language strategy in late January. Protective language legislation is in place in Scotland (Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005) and Wales (Welsh Language Act 1993), while in the South, Irish is protected under the Official Languages Act 2003.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 5 May to: Response Co-Ordinator, Irish Language Bill Consultation, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EG
Telephone: 028 9051 5271
Email: consultations@dcalni.gov.uk
Questionnaire: www.surveymonkey.com/r/irish_language_bill_consultation
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Controlled Drugs Regulations
Opened 23 January
The department wishes to introduce additional safeguards for the safe management and use of controlled drugs. These were introduced in England and Scotland when the Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations came into force on 1 April 2013. This will also give the opportunity to align certain arrangements with those in England, Scotland and Wales.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 1 May to: Medicines Regulatory Group, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Room D4.3, Castle Buildings, Belfast, BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 3326
Email: mrgconsultation@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Questionnaire: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/consultations/current_consultations.htm
Donaldson report recommendations
Opened 30 December
The aim of this consultation is to encourage discussion of the recommendations made by former Chief Medical Officer of England, Liam Donaldson. Donaldson’s report on the improvement of governance within the health and social care system also investigated how to create a culture of openness, learning and making amends.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 22 May to: Donaldson Report, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Room D1, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 0500
Email: qualityandsafety@dhsspsni.gov.uk
UK Department of Transport
Tachograph regulation
Opened 17 March
This consultation outlines Department of Environment and UK Department for Transport plans to implement EU legislation for tachographs in road transport and seeks views on areas of flexibility. The new regulation is aimed at reducing the administrative burden, enabling easier enforcement and tackling fraud by making the tachograph more resistant to tampering.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 12 May to: Tachograph Regulation, Department for Transport, Zone 3/28 Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR
Tel: 0300 330 3000
Email: tachographregulation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Department of Justice
Unduly lenient sentences
Opened 3 February
This department is seeking opinions on the review of current legislation that provides for unduly lenient sentences to be referred to the Court of Appeal and to assess what improvements could be made.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 8 May to: Criminal Law Branch, Department of Justice, Massey House, Stoney Road, Belfast, BT4 3SX
Tel: 028 9016 9604
Email: access.public@dojni.x.gsi.gov.uk
Department for Social Development
New framework for social housing providers
Opened 12 March
This consultation proposes a new regulatory framework for housing activities and services provided by social landlords and is inviting views on the nature of this regulation going forward.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 10 June to: Regulatory Framework Consultation Policy Project, Social Housing Reform Programme, Department for Social Development, Ground Floor, Lighthouse Building, Gasworks Business Park, Belfast, BT2 7JB
Tel: 028 9082 9031
Email: shrppolicy@dsdni.gov.uk
Questionnaire: www.surveymonkey.com/s/new-regulatory-framework-for-social-housing
Department of Education
GCSE grading
Opened 23 March
The consultation intends to collect views on the potential change of grading from an alphabetic basis (A* to G) to a numerical one (9 to 1). In England, these new qualifications will be awarded from summer 2017.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 19 June to: Assessment and Qualifications Team, Room G11, Department of Education, Rathgael House, 43 Balloo Road, Rathgill, Bangor, BT19 7PR
Tel: 028 9127 9543
Email: agt@deni.gov.uk