Departments of Government

Under the system of direct rule from Westminster introduced in 1972 Northern Ireland was administered by six government departments: Environment (DOE); Economic Development (DED); Education (DENI); Health and Social Services (DHSS); Finance and Personnel (DFP); and Agriculture (DOA). When devolved power was returned to the Northern Ireland Assembly in November 1999 a major overhaul of these existing structures had already been proposed. As a result ten new Government Departments were established: Agriculture and Rural Development; Culture, Arts and Leisure; Education; Enterprise, Trade and Investment; Environment; Finance and Personnel; Health, Social Services and Public Safety; Training and Employment (later changed to Employment, Learning and Further Education); Regional Development; and Social Development.