The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency will receive £5.3 million to establish a Data Office.

Finance Minister John O'Dowd announced the funding on 26 May as part of a £102.6 million package for six public service transformation projects.

The new office will help government departments make better use of existing data to improve public services and support policy decisions.

Two initial Data Pathfinder projects will focus on education and health to demonstrate how integrated data can address Programme for Government priorities.

The investment will also strengthen data literacy among policy staff and increase data sharing between public sector organisations through existing legal mechanisms.

The Data Office will work with Northern Ireland government departments, arms-length bodies, policy makers and the public to ensure transparency and maintain trust in data handling.

The funding forms part of £235 million provided by the UK Government for public sector transformation following the restoration of the Executive.