Home | Department for the Economy
Source: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Home | Department for the Economy
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Welcome to Department for the Economy
Featured
Labour Market Statistics - April 2026
21 April 2026
Latest figures show increase in payrolled employees and median earnings
AI Advisory Panel established to drive growth, skills and innovation
17 April 2026
First meeting of new AI Advisory Panel.
Minister appoints interim members to the Northern Regional College governing body
16 April 2026
Interim appointments to governing body of NRC.
Quick links
Minister's Economic Vision
About DfE
Economy Minister
DfE Business Plan 2025-26
State Aid and Subsidy Control
Careers Service
Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week
Statistics and Economic Research
Consumer Affairs
Follow us
X
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Our responsibilities
Minister's Economic Vision
The Minister's Economic Vision has four priorities; to increase the number of Good Jobs, to Raise Productivity, to Decarbonise our economy, and to drive forward Regional Balance.
Economic policy
Economic strategy, regulation, innovation, enterprise policy, social economy, access to finance, agri-food, Economic Advisory Group and MATRIX
Employment and skills programmes (including apprenticeships)
Advice for jobseekers and employers on employment and recruitment programmes that aim to deliver a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the Northern Ireland economy
Energy
Policy and strategy on energy including electricity, gas, renewables and energy efficiency.
Further education
Advice on all aspects of further education including policy, courses, how to apply and financial support available.
Higher education
Information and advice on higher education including policy and strategy, finance governance, student finance and research policy.
Employment rights
Free and confidential help with employment rights is available from Labour Relations Agency for employers and employees. The Department provides online guidance on employment rights on nidirect for employees and nibusinessinfo.co.uk for employers.
Consumer affairs
Working with both consumers and traders to develop consumer rights and responsibilities
European Fund Management
As Managing Authority, the Department is responsible for ensuring the successful closure of Northern Ireland’s 2014-2020 European Social Fund (ESF) and Investment for Growth and Jobs (ERDF) programmes. Links can be found on this page to further information about both programmes. A link is also included to State Aid information provided by the Department’s Subsidy Control Unit.
Telecoms
Supporting investment in telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating improvements in broadband, mobile and international connectivity
Tourism
Developing tourism policy in Northern Ireland.
Insolvency service
Administration/investigation of bankrupts and companies in liquidation; disqualification of directors; regulating insolvency profession; Northern Ireland-specific legislation and policy.
Minerals and Petroleum
Responsibilities include: prospecting/development licensing; exploration leases; monitoring abandoned mines; engagement with local councils on Local Development Plans; geoscience information and services through Geological Survey NI.
Credit Unions and Societies
This page is for societies registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Acts (Northern Ireland) 1969 and 1976 and the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The Department for the Economy is responsible for the policy and legislative framework.
Statistics and economic research
This page contains statistics, research and analysis about the local economy and the development of skills.
We work with these bodies
Tourism Northern Ireland
The Consumer Council
Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation
InterTrade Ireland
The Certification Officer for Northern Ireland
CITB NI
Northern Ireland Screen
Universities
Tourism Ireland
Catalyst Inc (formerly Northern Ireland Science Park)
Invest Northern Ireland
HSENI
The Labour Relations Agency
The Industrial Court
Office of the Industrial Tribunals and The Fair Employment Tribunals
FE Colleges
Our documents
Our publications
Public Appointment – Northern Regional College – Governing Body Members Competition
Published
23 April 2026
FE Circular 02/26 - Skills Focus
Published
15 April 2026
FE Circular 03/26 - InnovateUs
Published
15 April 2026
See all our publications
Our consultations
Aviation Policy
Closes 22 May 2026
Review of Mineral Licensing - Call for Evidence
Closes 21 May 2026
Review of approach to Widening Participation in Higher Education
Consultation closed
See all our consultations
Access to information
How to request information from the Department for the Economy including
Freedom of Information (FOI)
and the use of our
Publication Scheme
.
The Minister
Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA
Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA was appointed Economy Minister on 3 February 2025.
About us
The Departmental Board is chaired by the
Permanent Secretary
and manages the department within the strategic policy and resources framework set by the Minister. It supports the Permanent Secretary by providing collective leadership and taking ownership of the department’s performance.
Read more about the department
Corporate information
Department for Economy organisational structure and key functions
DfE written assembly questions statistics
DfE Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22
10x Delivery Plan 2023/24
Equality
Public appointments
Complaints procedure
Privacy Notice
Accessibility Statement
Contact us
Department for the Economy
Adelaide House
39/49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
Telephone: 028 9052 9900
Text Relay: 18001 028 9052 9900
Email:
dfemail@economy-ni.gov.uk
The Department for the Economy offices at Adelaide House, Killymeal House, Newtownbreda and Fermanagh House are open on a daily basis. Both the former HQ building at Netherleigh and Ann Street Careers Resource centre are now closed. When attending our offices for any reason, visitors should contact relevant officials in advance so that necessary arrangements can be put in place to receive the visitor
Please note: individual work areas may be located on multiple sites other than Adelaide House - check contact pages for details.
Alternatively contact us using our
feedback form
Lobbying
Section 8 of The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act NI 2021 places certain duties upon Ministers, special advisers and officials within departments in relation to recording lobbying (as defined by the Act). Contacting the Minister directly (either verbally or through written correspondence to a non-Departmental email or social media account) may result in a record of the contact being included within the Economy Minister’s lobbying register.
See all contacts
Skip to main content
Translation help
Translate this page
Select a language
Arabic —
عربي
Chinese (Simplified) —
中文简体
Chinese (Traditional) —
中文繁體
Dutch —
Nederlands
Filipino —
Filipino
French —
Français
German —
Deutsch
Hungarian —
Magyar
Irish —
Gaeilge
Italian —
Italiano
Latvian —
Latviešu
Lithuanian —
Lietuvių kalba
Polish —
Polski
Portuguese —
Português
Romanian —
Română
Russian —
Русский
Slovak —
Slovenčina
Spanish —
Español
Ukrainian —
Українська
Welcome to Department for the Economy
Featured
Labour Market Statistics - April 2026
21 April 2026
Latest figures show increase in payrolled employees and median earnings
AI Advisory Panel established to drive growth, skills and innovation
17 April 2026
First meeting of new AI Advisory Panel.
Minister appoints interim members to the Northern Regional College governing body
16 April 2026
Interim appointments to governing body of NRC.
Quick links
Minister's Economic Vision
About DfE
Economy Minister
DfE Business Plan 2025-26
State Aid and Subsidy Control
Careers Service
Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week
Statistics and Economic Research
Consumer Affairs
Follow us
X
Our responsibilities
Minister's Economic Vision
The Minister's Economic Vision has four priorities; to increase the number of Good Jobs, to Raise Productivity, to Decarbonise our economy, and to drive forward Regional Balance.
Economic policy
Economic strategy, regulation, innovation, enterprise policy, social economy, access to finance, agri-food, Economic Advisory Group and MATRIX
Employment and skills programmes (including apprenticeships)
Advice for jobseekers and employers on employment and recruitment programmes that aim to deliver a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the Northern Ireland economy
Energy
Policy and strategy on energy including electricity, gas, renewables and energy efficiency.
Further education
Advice on all aspects of further education including policy, courses, how to apply and financial support available.
Higher education
Information and advice on higher education including policy and strategy, finance governance, student finance and research policy.
Employment rights
Free and confidential help with employment rights is available from Labour Relations Agency for employers and employees. The Department provides online guidance on employment rights on nidirect for employees and nibusinessinfo.co.uk for employers.
Consumer affairs
Working with both consumers and traders to develop consumer rights and responsibilities
European Fund Management
As Managing Authority, the Department is responsible for ensuring the successful closure of Northern Ireland’s 2014-2020 European Social Fund (ESF) and Investment for Growth and Jobs (ERDF) programmes. Links can be found on this page to further information about both programmes. A link is also included to State Aid information provided by the Department’s Subsidy Control Unit.
Telecoms
Supporting investment in telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating improvements in broadband, mobile and international connectivity
Tourism
Developing tourism policy in Northern Ireland.
Insolvency service
Administration/investigation of bankrupts and companies in liquidation; disqualification of directors; regulating insolvency profession; Northern Ireland-specific legislation and policy.
Minerals and Petroleum
Responsibilities include: prospecting/development licensing; exploration leases; monitoring abandoned mines; engagement with local councils on Local Development Plans; geoscience information and services through Geological Survey NI.
Credit Unions and Societies
This page is for societies registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Acts (Northern Ireland) 1969 and 1976 and the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The Department for the Economy is responsible for the policy and legislative framework.
Statistics and economic research
This page contains statistics, research and analysis about the local economy and the development of skills.
We work with these bodies
Tourism Northern Ireland
The Consumer Council
Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation
InterTrade Ireland
The Certification Officer for Northern Ireland
CITB NI
Northern Ireland Screen
Universities
Tourism Ireland
Catalyst Inc (formerly Northern Ireland Science Park)
Invest Northern Ireland
HSENI
The Labour Relations Agency
The Industrial Court
Office of the Industrial Tribunals and The Fair Employment Tribunals
FE Colleges
Our documents
Our publications
Public Appointment – Northern Regional College – Governing Body Members Competition
Published
23 April 2026
FE Circular 02/26 - Skills Focus
Published
15 April 2026
FE Circular 03/26 - InnovateUs
Published
15 April 2026
See all our publications
Our consultations
Aviation Policy
Closes 22 May 2026
Review of Mineral Licensing - Call for Evidence
Closes 21 May 2026
Review of approach to Widening Participation in Higher Education
Consultation closed
See all our consultations
Access to information
How to request information from the Department for the Economy including
Freedom of Information (FOI)
and the use of our
Publication Scheme
.
The Minister
Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA
Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA was appointed Economy Minister on 3 February 2025.
About us
The Departmental Board is chaired by the
Permanent Secretary
and manages the department within the strategic policy and resources framework set by the Minister. It supports the Permanent Secretary by providing collective leadership and taking ownership of the department’s performance.
Read more about the department
Corporate information
Department for Economy organisational structure and key functions
DfE written assembly questions statistics
DfE Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22
10x Delivery Plan 2023/24
Equality
Public appointments
Complaints procedure
Privacy Notice
Accessibility Statement
Contact us
Department for the Economy
Adelaide House
39/49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
Telephone: 028 9052 9900
Text Relay: 18001 028 9052 9900
Email:
dfemail@economy-ni.gov.uk
The Department for the Economy offices at Adelaide House, Killymeal House, Newtownbreda and Fermanagh House are open on a daily basis. Both the former HQ building at Netherleigh and Ann Street Careers Resource centre are now closed. When attending our offices for any reason, visitors should contact relevant officials in advance so that necessary arrangements can be put in place to receive the visitor
Please note: individual work areas may be located on multiple sites other than Adelaide House - check contact pages for details.
Alternatively contact us using our
feedback form
Lobbying
Section 8 of The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act NI 2021 places certain duties upon Ministers, special advisers and officials within departments in relation to recording lobbying (as defined by the Act). Contacting the Minister directly (either verbally or through written correspondence to a non-Departmental email or social media account) may result in a record of the contact being included within the Economy Minister’s lobbying register.
See all contacts