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<p>The provision made for those citizens affected by contaminated blood in Northern
Ireland is a devolved matter. In the absence of an Executive, spending and policy
decisions fall to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), though clearly there
are a range of strategic decisions which require political decision-makers to be in
place to take. That is why it is imperative we see a restored Executive in place,
so that local politicians can take forward an agenda that delivers for the whole community
in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>As to the legislative framework, the Budget Act
2017 does no more than provide broad spending limits and ambits for NI departments,
rather than detailing spending on specific programmes or initiatives. As above, those
detailed decisions remain for the NICS. I have therefore asked if the NICS would respond
to you directly on the 2017-18 position in this regard.</p>
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