Bernadette McAliskey has called for multi-year budgets at departmental level to address repeated failures by the Northern Ireland Executive to agree annual spending plans.

The financial year began on 5 April. Six weeks later, departments still have no agreed budget for the current year.

McAliskey said the current system requires departments to return unspent funds at year end, creating inefficiency and limiting flexibility for public services.

She described how delays in planning, contracting, or lower than expected costs leave departments unable to spend allocated money without breaking rules.

Departments have sent guidance to staff to limit spending to 95% of last year's budget until a new agreement is reached.

McAliskey argued that annual resets distort decision-making and push providers into short-term grant arrangements rather than longer contracts.

She said the approach affects community and voluntary organisations delivering public services under statutory duties delegated by civil servants.