APPENDIX 1
MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY THE NORTHERN IRELAND
OFFICE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE
NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL REPORT
(DAR) 2004
The Department stated that plans are in place
to bring all areas of work of Forensic Science Northern Ireland
into re-accreditation during 2005 (Fourth Report of the Committee,
Session 2004-05, Evidence, page 11). The DAR for 2005 notes that
the FSNI's targets relating to the maintenance of UKAS accreditation
and the turn around of casework were not met for 2003-04 (paragraph
11.9).
What is the expected timetable for Forensic Science
Northern Ireland to achieve UKAS re-accreditation?
FSNI UKAS accreditation for calibration activities
has always been maintained. UKAS accreditation for testing activities,
which had been lost in 2003, was successfully regained in May
2005 after a major assessment visit by UKAS in December 2004.
FSNI has planned further to increase the scope of accreditation
during the yearly surveillance visit by UKAS in January 2006.
Has FSNI's failure to meet targets for turnaround
of casework for 2003-04 had any effects in financial terms or
on the conduct of cases? What assessment has been made of performance
during 2004-05?
The implications of failure to meet targets for turnaround
of casework for 2003 - 04 were taken very seriously by FSNI but
its judgment is that there has been no impact in financial terms.
With regard to the conduct of cases, investigators and the then
DPP have been kept informed of progress and cases have been prioritised
to ensure the impact to the Criminal Justice process is minimised.
In order to improve performance FSNI embarked on
a major strategic modernisation programme in 2004 supported by
funding made available by NIO. This was designed better to meet
the needs of its customers and the requirements of a modern and
progressive justice system. This programme has impacted on all
aspects of the business processes and structures and has been
underpinned by significant investment in ICT and people.
Changes made during 2004-05 yielded positive results
although much remains to be done. Improvements in performance
were made in some key areas, for example, Road Traffic Collisions
(RTC) and Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology (ADT). Of particular significance
was that during 2004-05 FSNI successfully implemented a project
plan to process DNA profiling much more rapidly, progressively
reducing turnaround to meet a demanding target of less than 10
days in March 2005, comparable with other leading UK forensic
science providers. This has been acknowledged by PSNI as a significant
achievement and support for policing. Despite this significant
improvement in DNA profiling regrettably FSNI failed to meet targets
in other areas of the business with the exception of full cash
cost recovery from customers, which was successfully achieved.
Further detail is available in FSNI's Annual Report for 2004-05.
The Department noted incidence of intimidation
by dissident republican groups of members of District Policing
Partnerships (Fourth Report 2004-05, Evidence, page 5).
What assessment has been made of whether dissident
republican intimidation of members of District Policing Partnerships
is continuing? What steps have been taken to counter intimidation?
Since the commencement of acts of intimidation and
threats against DPP members the Northern Ireland Policing Board
developed and maintains a record of these incidents for monitoring
their numbers, level and location. There have been no reported
incidents since February 2005. In addition the Board has a policy
of making immediate contact with all individuals who have been
the subject of such intimidation.
In order to provide DPP members and their families
with reassurance and to help alleviate their fears of attack the
NIO, under the auspices of the Key Persons Scheme, has provided
a comprehensive package of protective security measures at the
homes of 65 DPP members and two officials whom the Chief Constable
assessed as being under a severe or substantial level threat.
The Department reported that the Attenuated Energy
Projectile (AEP) would be ready for operational deployment before
Summer 2005 (Fourth Report 2004-05, Evidence, page 5).
What is the timetable for the operational deployment
of the Attenuated Energy Projectile (AEP) and the Discriminating
Irritant Projectile (DIP)?
The Attenuated Energy Projectile (AEP) became operational
on 21 June 2005 and replaced the previous L21 Baton Round.
The Discriminating Irritant Projectile (DIP) is part
of a UK-wide project and is being developed in slower time largely
due to delays in the release of funding which the inter-Departmental
Steering Group is currently pursuing.
The Department stated that the Flax information
management programme was on schedule to meet the implementation
deadline of 31 December 2004 (Fourth Report, Evidence, page 8).
Did the Flax information management programme
meet its implementation deadline of 31 December 2004?
What has been the total cost of the programme
to date compared to budget?
Yes, the implementation phase of the Flax programme
was completed some three weeks ahead of schedule. The budget for
the programme is £13.2m; the total costs to date (26 August
2005) have been £10.02m, (£9.42m spent, with c£600k
in outstanding invoices).
The Department reported that December 2006 was
the target date for full implementation of the Public Prosecution
Service Northern Ireland (Fourth Report 2004-05, Evidence, page
12). The DAR for 2005 notes that the PPS will come into effect
as a statutory body in June 2005 (paragraph 13.17).
What is the current timetable for full implementation
of the Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland?
Whilst the PPS was established in June 2005 (with
the commencement of the Justice (NI) Act 2002), the new PPS structures
are not yet fully in place throughout Northern Ireland. To date
the full range of services is available in the Belfast Region
and five police districts in the Fermanagh and Tyrone area only.
In addition the PPS is dealing with all youth offences committed
in the Armagh, Banbridge and Newry and Mourne police districts.
The target date for full implementation of the new Service across
Northern Ireland remains December 2006.
NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL REPORT
(DAR) 2005
The Department reported (DAR paragraph 3.20) that
it is required to deliver 2.5% per annum efficiency gains equating
to £90 million by 2007-08.
Is the Department on track to deliver its required
efficiency savings? If so, how will efficiency savings be achieved
without reducing the level of delivery of front-line services?
The Department is on track to deliver its required
efficiency savings. Current Forecasts show that the Department
should have made around £94 million savings by the end of
the financial year 2007-8. Just over £8.5 million efficiency
savings were delivered during the year 2004-5.
Current forecast savings through to March 2008 are
as follows:-
| 2004/05 (£m) |
2005/06 (£m) |
2006/07 (£m)
| 2007/08 (£m's)
|
| 8.6 |
39.8
| 79.7 |
94.6 |
The aim of the independent efficiency review carried out by Sir
Peter Gershon was to identify efficiency gains which would release
essential resources to front line public service delivery.
There are a number of control mechanisms in place
to ensure that efficiency savings are achieved without reducing
the level of delivery of front-line services. The guidance on
efficiency provided by HM Treasury and the Office of Government
Commerce (OGC) clearly states that efficiency gains require the
same or better outputs to be maintained, except where continuing
to perform a task would have been inefficient. Simple cuts to
services are therefore not counted as efficiency initiatives.
The NIO has endeavoured to adhere closely to the guidelines set
by Treasury and OGC and its efficiency initiatives have been accepted
by Treasury.
In addition, each efficiency workstream has associated
balancing quality measures designed to ensure that service delivery
is not negatively affected by the efficiency.
Can the Department provide a copy of its October
interim Efficiency Technical Note (DAR paragraph 7.27) to the
Committee? What are the key initiatives from the efficiency programme
that will deliver £90 million savings by 2007-08?
A copy of the interim Efficiency Technical Note (ETN)
can be found on the NIO website:
http://www.nio.gov.uk/nio_efficiency_technical_note.pdf
All departments are currently in the process of updating
their ETNs in line with guidance from HM Treasury. When the ETN
has been scrutinised by Treasury, it will be published on the
NIO website at the end of October. The Department will ensure
that notification of this publication is sent to the clerk to
the committee.
The aim of the revised ETN is to update progress
being made against efficiency targets and to provide a public
explanation of the methodologies used to quantify the Department's
efficiency gains. It is important to note that, except where
efficiencies have already been delivered, the information in the
revised ETN represents current planning assumptions. As such,
the expected gains from workstreams and initiatives are not targets
in themselves and may be subject to change as plans develop further
and in response to external circumstances.
The key initiatives designed to deliver £90
million savings by end of 2007-08 are:
- procurement savings from the entire NIO;
- civilianisation of posts within the PSNI;
- reduction in overtime in the PSNI;
- increased productivity in PSNI front-line;
- efficiencies associated with NIPS training provision;
- rationalisation of corporate services functions
within NIO core;
- efficiencies resulting from legislative changes
and stream-lining of service delivery in the Compensation Agency;
- implementation of some key IT projects e.g. the
PSNI's NICHE (Criminal Justice Integration Project), impact of
Causeway programme on NIO funded bodies, Flax within NIO Core;
- recruitment of Night Custody Officers within
NIPS; and
- Productivity gains across the whole NIO Department.
More detail on these initiatives will be available
in the revised ETN due to be published at the end of October this
year.
Capital expenditure over a four year period from
2003-04 to 2007-08 is highly variable. Estimated outturn for 2004-05
is £78 million and is expected to reduce to £66 million
in 2005-06, before increasing again in 2006-07, to £72 million.
The latest outturn figures for capital expenditure in 2004-05,
as reported by the Treasury, show a provisional outturn of £71
million compared to £78 million reported in the DAR.
What are the reasons for the high levels of variation
in levels of capital expenditure over the four year period from
2003-04 to 2007-08?
The main variations are in the following areas:
POLICING AND
SECURITY
The increase in capital expenditure from 2003-4 (outturn)
to 2004-5 (estimated outturn) is largely due to planned additions
to PSNI vehicle fleet and building enhancements.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Increased expenditure relates to the construction
of the new Juvenile Justice Centre (work began in 2004-05 and
will continue until 2006-07).
PUBLIC PROSECUTION
SERVICE
Increases from 2004-05 relate to the roll out of
the Public Prosecution Service and the associated capital costs
for new accommodation.
PRISONS
Increases from 2004-05 relate to the construction
of new houseblocks (this work has been postponed pending finalisation
of the NIPS Strategic Development Plan post Hamill).
OTHER
The core Department's new IT network "Flax"
system was implemented in 2004-05, explaining the large increase
in capital expenditure in this category which is not recurring.
Can the Department provide a detailed analysis
of capital expenditure mapped against capital investment plans
and programmes for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07?
Details of the Department's capital investment plans
and programmes are included in the Departmental Investment Strategy
(DIS) which is available on the Department's website: www.nio.gov.uk
This provides details of the capital investment plans and programmes
for the significant capital budgets in the Departmental Report
(Policing and Security, Criminal Justice, NI Prison Service).
Movements in the other significant capital baselines (Public Prosecution
Service and Other) are described in the Departmental Report.
The DIS sets out the Department's investment strategy
over the SR2002 period (covering 2004-05) and the investment strategy
across the SR2004 period (covering 2005-06 and 2006-07).
What are the reasons for the decrease in capital
spending of 10 percent between the Departmental Annual Report
for 2005 and the Public Expenditure Provisional Outturn Statement
published by the Treasury in July?
Figures for the Departmental Report were prepared
three months in advance of the Public Expenditure Provisional
Outturn Statement and were based on forecasts. The difference
of £6.5m (£77.6m in the Departmental Report compared
to £71.1m in the Public Expenditure Provisional Outturn Statement)
largely relates to:
1. underspends in the Criminal Justice Directorate
totaling £3.6m:
- £2.3m due to slippage in the construction
of a new Juvenile Justice centre;
- £0.7m in Probation Board refurbishment and
IT expenditure; and
- £0.6m others.
2. underspends in the Central Service Directorate
totaling £1.6m largely due to underspends in the Flax IT
project; and
3. other underspends across the Department totaling
£1.3m.
Total public spending of £1.4 billion in
2004-05 represents an 18% increase from 2003-04 (DAR Appendix
G, Table 1). The principal source of this increase appears to
relate to increased policing costs, in particular severance provision
for police service officers.
What the total cost was of severance pay for police
officers in 2004-05, and what percentage of total policing costs
did this amount to?
Altogether 354 Police Officers left under the Voluntary
Severance Scheme between April 2004 and March 2005. Total payments
made were £26.6m.
Total policing expenditure (including Main Grant
Revenue and Capital expenditure, Pensions, Patten Severance and
Patten Non Severance) amounted to £878.2m for the year ended
31 March 2005. Severance expenditure represents 3% of total police
expenditure for that year
What comparisons the Department has made to levels
of severance payments made to officers in police forces in England,
Wales and Scotland?
The terms of the PSNI Voluntary Severance Scheme,
the benefits of which directly reflect the recommendations contained
in the 1999 Report of the Independent Commission on Policing for
Northern Ireland, were negotiated with and approved by Treasury
officials, ensuring the terms of the Scheme were in line with
public sector redundancy guidelines and restrictions.
The payments available to officers are particular
to the Royal Ulster Constabulary/Police Service of Northern Ireland
and reflect the unique circumstances of policing in Northern Ireland
and the long term objectives contained in the Report of the Independent
Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland to reduce the size
and change the composition of the PSNI.
The terms of the Scheme are not comparable with other
public sector organisations in England, Wales or Scotland.
The Treasury has decided to put off the spending
review until 2007
What impact will the Treasury's decision to delay
the spending review have on the Department's future spending and
investment plans and on the expenditure plans of those bodies
dependent on the Department?
Spending Review 2004 (SR2004) established the Department's
baseline for the financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08. When notifying
departments of the decision to postpone Spending Review 2006 and
instead introduce a Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007, HM
Treasury also confirmed that the 2007-08 baselines agreed in SR2004
would not be reopened. The Department has already allocated funding
to those bodies dependant on it for funding within the envelope
of funding provided in SR2004 on the assumption that the 2007-08
financial year would not be reopened.
The Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007 provides
the Department with a welcome opportunity to conduct a zero based
review of all its bodies to establish expenditure and investment
requirements for 2008-09 and beyond.
The total number of staff is planned to increase
from 3,663 full time equivalents (FTEs) in 2004-05 to 3,860 FTEs
in 2006-07 (DAR, Appendix G, Table 6). However, the Department
states that it is planning to reduce its headcount by 1,338 gross
(DAR, paragraph 3.21).
How does the Department expect to achieve the
reduction in headcount of 1,338 in pursuit of its Efficiency Target,
while projected staff numbers are expected to rise from 3,663
full time equivalents in 2004-05 to 3,860 FTEs in 2006-07?
The NIO staffing figures published in the Departmental
Report reflect Civil Servant staff in the NIO core Department,
its Agencies and Legal Offices. The anticipated growth in this
group of staff is primarily as a result of the additional staff
required as the Department of Public Prosecutions moves to become
Public Prosecution Service for NI and assumes responsibility for
summary prosecutions from the PSNI.
The headcount reduction targets set in the NIO Efficiency
Programme are for all organisations that comprise the range of
bodies which come within the NIO DEL, including PSNI, Probation
Board, NI Policing Board and Office of the Police Ombudsman.
In total there were some 16,872 full time equivalent posts in
this group of staff as at April 2004, the vast majority of which
are non Civil Servants. These organisations have planned a myriad
of efficiency initiatives, many of which should allow for reductions
in headcount.
We have also agreed with HM Treasury that proposed
staff increases in the PPSNI and the Youth Justice Agency can
be discounted from the NIO Efficiency Programme as these are frontline
posts required as a result of priority Government objectives emanating
from the Criminal Justice Review. The planned reductions remain
on target although total numbers will increase as these permissible
growth areas expand staff numbers on the frontline.
Progress against the PSA target for increasing
confidence in the police has declined slightly (DAR, paragraph
5.5).
What steps has the Department taken to address
the downturn in public confidence in the Police Service of Northern
Ireland? How was the consultation exercise outlined in Table 5.1
relating to confidence in the police carried out? How many respondents
were there to the consultation?
Working closely with the PSNI, the Policing Board
and the Police Ombudsman, the Department has recently embarked
on a proactive campaign looking at ways to increase public confidence
in the police. Since the publication of the Departmental Report,
figures from the most recent Omnibus Survey (April 2005) show
an improvement in most areas, notably a 6% increase from October
2004 on those who have confidence in the PSNI's ability to provide
an effective day to day policing service for everyone in Northern
Ireland, and a 5% increase over the same period on those who think
the PSNI does a good job in Northern Ireland as a whole.
The figures outlined in Table 5.1 were gathered as
part of the NI Omnibus Survey which is conducted several times
a year by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics
and Research Agency (NISRA), and covers a wide range of public
services, including policing. For this survey, a random selection
of 2000 addresses was chosen from the Valuation and Lands Agency
list, and from that a total of 1293 people were interviewed.
What comparisons has the Department made of levels
of confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland with levels
of confidence in other police forces in England, Wales or Scotland?
The British Crime Survey (BCS) is used to measure
levels of confidence in the police across England and Wales. (Scotland
is also reverting to using the BCS). Although there may be similarities,
the Omnibus Survey does not offer a direct comparison. The Northern
Ireland Crime Survey which is a more accurate comparator with
the BCS will however be used in future to measure confidence levels,
and as such it will then be easier to draw comparisons. However,
it is worth noting that in the most recent British Crime Survey,
49% of respondents felt that the police were doing a good or excellent
job. The recent Omnibus Survey shows that 63% of respondents
think that the PSNI does a good job in Northern Ireland as a whole.
The criminal justice directorate launched a number
of community safety schemes during the year, including the "Lock
out crime" scheme and "Operation Clean Up" (DAR,
paragraph 6.48).
What progress has been made to date by the Department's
community safety schemes? How and when will the impact of the
schemes be measured?
The Lock Out Crime (LOC) scheme aims to provide additional
home security in the form of door and window locks, exterior lighting
and front door security free of charge to all those in Northern
Ireland aged 65 and over, who are in receipt of housing benefit
or rate rebate. The scheme is funded by the Northern Ireland
Office and delivered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
The Housing Executive identify all eligible older
people and write to each one individually, offering the benefits
of the Scheme. To date 19,500 letters have been issued and 5,526
individuals have returned forms and have been or will be admitted
to the scheme. A further 7,500 letters have also been issued
on which final information about returns has not yet been compiled.
The scheme applies right across Northern Ireland, but has been
rolled out on a district council basis. All those eligible aged
75 and over were contacted by July 2005. The Criminal Justice
Minister David Hanson extended the scheme to those aged 65 and
over in May 2005 and all eligible people in this group will be
contacted by mid 2006.
There are no plans to carry out a formal evaluation
of LOC. Recipients of LOC are asked to complete a satisfaction
survey after completion of the work and the NIHE undertake random
evaluation from scheme recipients. While NIHE do intend to provide
information about their findings from this survey this will be
done at a later stage. However anecdotal and first hand information
from recipients clearly indicates that the additional security
makes them feel more secure, particularly at night.
Operation Clean Up is a partnership project which
seeks to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by removing untaxed
vehicles from the public roads. Such vehicles are commonly used
by criminals for transport to and from the scenes of crime and
by others in a dangerous and unsafe manner. The main project
partners are the police, who arrange for identified vehicles to
be removed, Belfast City Council who store the vehicles, deal
with those wishing to re-claim their vehicles and arrange for
their disposal, DVLNI who handle the appropriate documentation
around vehicle registration and NIO who fund the bulk of the project.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also provide some
funding. The project operates in the area known as the PSNI's
Urban region which includes Belfast and surrounding areas.
The project commenced on a full time basis in October
2004. By 31 July 2005, 2,267 vehicles had been removed, with
1,423 destroyed. A full assessment of the project's impact on
crime will be conducted 12 months after it has begun, but on an
anecdotal basis, the police believe it is having a significant
impact on the ground. Early information also suggests that the
development of the project has coincided with a reduction in reducing
road traffic accidents in the area where the project operates.
The Central Service Directorate has changed the
HCS payroll provider to a fully managed service (DAR, paragraph
7.12).
Has the transfer of payroll provider to a fully
managed service been a success? What efficiency savings have resulted?
This has been a success and the transition went smoothly,
The reason for the changeover was that the contract with the existing
provider was at an end. The introduction of the fully managed
system has resulted in greater operational efficiency.
The Department reports progress for 2003-04 in
reducing domestic burglary and vehicle crime (DAR, Appendix A).
However, street disorder incidents have increased by 88% since
2002.
What progress has been made in 2004-05 in reducing
burglary and car crime?
Good progress continues to be made towards tackling
both domestic burglary and car crime in Northern Ireland. Recorded
crime figures show that during 2004-05, domestic burglary fell
by 18.4% (8,944 crimes to 7,302) on the previous year and vehicle
crime reduced by 23.7% (12,875 crimes to 9,827).
What are the reasons for the increase in street
disorder incidents since 2002? What steps are being taken to reduce
levels of street disorder?
PSNI Central Statistics Unit has confirmed that the
method of recording incidents changed in 2002. Before 2002, statistics
were only sourced from their Duty Officer's Report. After 2002,
in addition to the Duty Officer's Report, statistics also included
those gained from the monitoring of all PSNI radio communications
from the scene of any disturbance. This change increased the
accuracy of reporting and number of incidents.
Given the change in recording street disorder incidents
by PSNI in 2002, it would be erroneous to attempt a like-for-like
comparison before this date. PSNI Central Statistics Unit has
therefore, provided the following street disorder statistics for
the years 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 where all reporting
processes are equal.
| Financial Year | Number of Street Disorder Incidents
| % Change from 2002/2003 Baseline
|
| 2002/03 | 4524
| 0% |
| 2003/04 | 3493
| - 22.8% |
| 2004/05 | 3258
| - 28.0% |
Using the figures of 2002-03 as a baseline, it is clear that the
numbers of street disorder incidents has actually decreased
in subsequent years.
The Government welcomes this trend, but is not complacent.
We are in constant contact with local politicians and community
representatives, and are currently working on a strategy to engage
specifically with the loyalist community, elements of which have
been behind much of the most recent disorder.
The value for money objective for reducing the
cost of a prisoner place over three financial years is set out
in Appendix A of the DAR. Progress is reported as met for 2003-04
and on course for 2004-05, but no actual figures are provided.
What are the actual prisoner accommodation costs
for the years 2003/04 and 2004/05?
The Prison Service met its 2003-2004 cost per prisoner
place (CPPP) target of £83,275, as agreed with Treasury.
The actual 2003-2004 CPPP outturn was £81,426. The Service
also met its 2004-2005 CPPP target of £86,800 as agreed with
Treasury with an actual outturn figure of £85,935.
Assessments made for progress against targets
are not always clear. For example, progress against targets are
described as "met-ongoing", "partly met" and
"on course", making it difficult to draw firm conclusions
in respect of the performance of the NIO.
Which PSA targets have been fully achieved?
The 2002 Spending Review period spans the three financial
years from April 2003 to March 2006 and overlaps with the SR2004
period which runs from April 2005 to March 2008. Departments
normally cannot report fully on their PSA targets until the end
of the spending review period. However, growing experience with
target setting of this kind (which began in the context of SR2000)
on the part of both the Department and the Treasury led to the
NIO's SR2002 targets being refined and improved to make them smarter
and more meaningful and to ensure they complied with audit requirements.
The refined targets were incorporated into the Department's SR2004
targets.
The Final Assessment Table in the Departmental Report
was agreed with HM Treasury and "signed off" the SR2002
targets allowing us to move on to the improved SR2004 targets.
The terminology used in the Departmental Report on the status
of targets was laid down by HM Treasury in the PES guidance (2004)
19 (Annex A):-
To clarify the impact of this target by target:
PSA Target 1 - Increase confidence in the police
throughout all parts of the community in Northern Ireland
An error occurred in reporting on progress on police
confidence. This was reported as met but still on-going because
the trend analysis (after a significant fall) was upward. However,
against the 2001 baseline the target was not met. The target
is ongoing and was incorporated into the SR2004 PSA as follows:
Increase confidence in the police throughout all
parts of the community in Northern Ireland by 3% by April 2008,
to be measured by a composite suite of measures on public views
on the fairness and effectiveness of the police and policing arrangements.
PSA Target 2 - A progressive increase in the Catholic
representation in the police service towards a target of 30% Catholic
Representation by 2011 as proposed by Patten with an interim target
of 13.5% by March 2004 and a challenging new target of 18.5% by
March 2006.
The Interim target of 18.5% Catholic Representation
by March 2006 is on target. This target has also been incorporated
into the SR2004 PSA and a final assessment will be carried out
in 2010/11
PSA Target 3 (part 1) - Increase confidence in
the criminal justice system throughout all parts of the community
in Northern Ireland
Target 3 consisted of an unquantified aspiration
to increase confidence in the criminal justice system. The
target was met in that the confidence figures exceeded baseline
figures over a period of three years. However, in 2003 one
of the indicators (fairness in the criminal justice system) slipped
and one of the survey results showed a drop below baseline.
Because of the limited information available we were unable to
fully explain this slippage. As a result the target was
restructured to refine the detail and allow clearer reporting
against more concrete performance criteria. This target
is ongoing and has been incorporated into the SR2004 PSA as follows:
Increase confidence in the criminal justice system
throughout all parts of the community in Northern Ireland by 3%
by April 2008 to be measured by a composite suite of measures
on public views on the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal
justice system.
PSA Target 3 (part 2) - In support of this target,
the Northern Ireland Office will by April 2007, reduce:
- domestic burglary by 15%
- vehicle crime by 10%
With an interim target for April 2005 as follows,
reduce
- domestic burglary by 2%
- vehicle crime by 6%
The interim target set for April 2005 has been met,
this target has been carried forward into the SR2004 PSA and a
final assessment will be made in April 2007.
PSA Target 3 (part 3) - The Northern Ireland Office,
working in conjunction with other agencies, will reduce the rate
of reconviction, to be measured annually by a system and against
baselines and challenging targets to be published by December
2002
In view of low conviction numbers in Northern Ireland,
it has since been concluded that reconviction targets cannot be
set until three years' reconviction figures are available. A
reconviction database has now been developed and will support
a comprehensive programme under SR2004. This target has been
further developed and carried forward into the SR2004 PSA as:
The Northern Ireland Office working in conjunction
with other agencies will:
- Reduce reconviction by 5% compared to the predicted
rate.
PSA Target 4 - Ensure that the annual cost per
prisoner place in Northern Ireland does not exceed annual limits
for each of the three financial years of the 2002 Spending review.
2003/04 - £83,275, 2004/05 £86,800 and 2005/06 £86,290.
2003/04 - Target Met
2004/05 - Target Met
2005/06 - Not yet known.
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