AQW 44438/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 21/04/2026
Answered On Date: 07/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) an update on the process to recruit a new CEO of the Housing Executive; (ii) when he expects the arm's-length body to provide him with a list of candidates to consider; and (iii) whether he will produce the criteria he will be using to select a candidate.

Answer:

The closing date for applications to the Housing Executive was the 09 April 2026. The assessment process is ongoing. The planned date to have the new CEO in place is by September 2026.

I do not receive a list. The role of the Department in this process is in line with Article 5 of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981; with the recommendations contained in DAO (DoF) 05/17 (Appointment / Designation of Accounting Officers); and the relevant provisions of the Partnership Agreement which, as with all ALBs and sponsor departments, defines the governance and oversight relationship between my department and NIHE. What this means practically in this case is:

The proposed criteria, along with terms and conditions, since published in the recruitment pack when the position was advertised, were subject to departmental approval – and I was content that this should be provided.

the panel, which includes my Permanent Secretary, the Chair of the Housing Executive Board, and other Board Members, will select a successful candidate. The appointment of this selected candidate will also be subject to Departmental approval.

The information I will receive in respect of this approval will be the evidence provided by the selected applicant against the criteria published by the NIHE. A particular focus of the department will be to ensure that the successful applicant has demonstrated the required knowledge, understanding or experience of the responsibilities of being the Accounting Officer of the Housing Executive.