Knowledge Roundtable | Colum Boyle, Department for Communities

The Department for Communities is responsible for benefits and pensions, housing, regeneration, support for children, sport and museums. The Department develops Policy and strategy in the voluntary and community sector, volunteering and community development advice and guidance in Northern Ireland. 

Colum Boyle, Department for Communities

Colum Boyle took up the post of Permanent Secretary in the Department for Communities in April 2022 the department’s functions cover a wide range of activities and responsibilities including: 

 the promotion of healthy housing and the provision of decent, affordable, sustainable homes and housing support services 

• a social welfare system including focused support to the most disadvantaged areas 

• providing training and support to jobseekers and employers 

• bringing divided communities together by creating urban centres which are sustainable, welcoming and accessible to live, work and relax in peace 

• supporting local Government to deliver effective public services 

• maximising public benefits from the culture, arts and leisure sectors 

• tackling disadvantage and promoting equality of opportunity by reducing poverty, promoting and protecting the interests of children, older people, people with disabilities, and other socially excluded groups; addressing inequality and disadvantage 

The department employs some 8,500 staff and has an annual budget of almost £7 billion, including expenditure of £5.9 billion on social security and pension payments. 

The primary role of the Permanent Secretary is to ensure the effective management of the department’s operations and to provide strategic advice to the Minister on departmental policy making and implementation activities.  As the Principal Accounting Officer for the Department this carries with it responsibility for ensuring the regularity and propriety of departmental expenditure, for promoting value for money and for ensuring there are robust systems of corporate governance and financial control within the Department.    

Colum previously held thepost ofInterim Permanent Secretary in the Department of Finance following his time as Deputy Secretary in Department for Communities responsible for leading the implementation of Welfare Reform in Northern Ireland.  

Colum’s early career focused on leading human resources and organisational development across a range of organisations. Over the last 20 years he has led a number of key statutory delivery organisations in Northern Ireland and he has undertaken a range of strategic business reviews to build operational capability and improve customer value, engaging with counterparts in other Regions. 

Colum has a strong interest in customer insight and leadership development and has spent considerable time during his career to date working closely with people to build and sustain senior leadership teams to deliver key services to citizens, businesses and public sector stakeholders.