THE Department for the Economy (DfE) has warned of "further financial pressures" if it fails to secure more than £23 million extra for its budget.
The warning is contained in the Stormont department's draft business plan for 2019/20.
It is hoping to secure the extra funds during a forthcoming monitoring round where extra funds are reallocated.
The overall budget for Stormont departments was announced in February and saw a two per cent increase for day-to-day departmental spending.
However, some departments received a greater share of the extra funds, with the Department of Health receiving a 3.8 per cent increase on the previous year.
The budget for some other departments, including DfE 'flatlined' and its £776.6m allocation is effectively the same as last year.
In his foreword to the business plan, DfE permanent secretary Noel Lavery said the lack of a devolved government was "uniquely challenging".
"We know there are things which we want to do but which will properly require ministerial agreement," he said.
"However, that will not stop us from undertaking necessary preparatory work."
The business plan also said that the department will continue to prioritise resources towards preparations for Brexit.
