| 1.7.1 | Departmental Economists have an important role to play. They can advise on the full range of issues relating to business cases, including for example appraisals, feasibility studies, business plans and evaluations. They can supply advice on the appropriate techniques to use, help to draft terms of reference, provide quality assurance, assist with the selection and management of external consultants and help to undertake relevant analysis. Where possible, those undertaking appraisals, evaluations and other studies should be independent of those quality-assuring them. |
| 1.7.2 | It is particularly important to involve economists in the more costly, complex or contentious cases before committing resources to them. Departments should consult their economists in all cases requiring DFP approval, and should take account of their views before submissions are made to DFP. |
| 1.7.3 | NIGEAE is NI Departments' primary general guide to expenditure appraisal and evaluation. However, Departments may need to supplement it with more specific guidance to suit particular areas of expenditure and different types of spending proposals. Such guidance should accord with the general principles of NIGEAE and should be agreed with DFP prior to use. Departmental economists can advise on the supplementary guidance currently relevant to their spending areas. |
| 1.7.4 | NIGEAE is tailored to suit the specific needs of NI and therefore takes precedence over the HM Treasury Green Book and any other guidance external to NI. However, its principles are broadly in accord with those in the Green Book and in general NIGEAE advocates a 'Green Book-style' approach. The Green Book and the resources available at the Green Book guidance web pages should be used as additional supporting guidance. |
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