News Release Page Title

5 June 2006

ACCOUNTING SERVICES PROGRAMME CONTRACT PARTNER APPOINTED

The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) has entered into agreement with BT to deliver IT solutions for the NI Civil Service's new Accounting Services Programme (ASP).

ASP will enhance financial management and modernise accounting services in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), through the implementation of a common accounting system and the centralisation of transaction processing into a single Shared Service Centre by the end of 2008.

BT, together with its key sub-contractors, Accenture and Northgate Information Solutions, will work with the NICS to provide technology and systems to deliver this programme. The contract will be for a period of up to 12 years and will be worth approximately £50million.

Welcoming the signing of the contract, Finance Minister David Hanson said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the NICS to transform the provision of accounting services. The Accounting Services Programme will deliver benefits to staff and to the NICS by rationalising business processes and harnessing the latest technology to provide high quality services. As such, it is a key component of our ongoing Changing for the Better reform programme designed to bring about a step change in the quality and efficiency of public services."

Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998) DFP carried out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) of this new ASP policy. An EQIA consultation document was circulated for consultation between February and April 2005. The final report can be accessed on DFP's website at www.dfpni.gov.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. ASP is a major business transformation programme, aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of accounting services across the NICS.

  2. The single Shared Service Centre will remain within the NICS and will be staffed by up to 200 NI civil servants focussed on providing services to the rest of the NICS.

  3. Following design and build of the new system over the next twelve months, NI departments will start to migrate onto the new services from mid 2007, with the final department coming on board in late 2008.

  4. ASP is one key element of the Changing for the Better reform programme designed to improve the performance of public services and the NICS. The ASP contract signing follows that of the E-Human Resources contract signed at the end of March 2006 to transform and modernise the structure and delivery of personnel services in NICS. Resulting improvements in efficiency in both personnel and financial services in NICS will allow the release of staff for frontline service areas.

  5. The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the ASP policy relates to the provision of accounting services for the NICS. The final EQIA report can be accessed on the DFP website. Print copies are also available on request from Accounting Services Programme - EQIA, Room G2.9, Rathgael House, Bangor, BT19 7NA, tel: 028 9185 8272, email: asp-eqia@nics.gov.uk

  6. A summary of the EQIA final report will be made available, on request, in alternative formats.

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