T8. Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Finance for an update on the transformation programme. (AQT 528/22-27)

The Member will be aware that the public sector across the North is in critical need of investment and reform to ensure that high-quality public services can be delivered efficiently. Transformation will be essential for doing that and for helping to put the Executive's finances on a more sustainable footing. I brought a proposal to the Executive to set up an interim transformation programme on 9 May and to quickly establish the interim transformation board, which is considering proposals for utilising the £47 million of transformation for this year. The board has completed its first-stage assessment, and 47 proposals have been received.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra.

[Translation: I thank the Minister for her response.]

Can she provide more detail on the proposals that have been received?

Of the proposals that have been received, 29 are moving forward, and 18 of those will be included in a digital landscape review. A number of Departments submitted proposals in the digital space, and we thought that the most effective use of money would be to do something on that collectively. A further 11 proposals will move to a second assessment stage. Clearly, the £235 million of transformation funding across five years, which has been made available to the Executive in the financial package, will in no way tackle the magnitude of the issues. I am, however, committed to making the best and most effective use of those resources to develop and implement a model of delivery that will help to stimulate the transformation of public services.