In short, we probably won’t know until Monday.

That’s because protocol dictates that it must be presented to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly before it is published.

But it is expected to set out the priorities for the executive for the remaining two-and-a-half years of the assembly term.

Image source, PA Media

Barry O'Connor
BBC News NI

West Belfast assembly member (MLA) Gerry Carroll says the fact there has been no programme for government approved yet is "really concerning”.

He says: "We have multiple crises across our society and they don’t seem to have any plan to deal with these.

"A programme for government, if it was correct and proper, could address some of these problems."

The People Before Profit MLA adds that the executive "do not seem interested" in solving these issues or forming a programme for government.

He continues: "They need to come clean with a plan of action... the credibility of the executive is wearing thin and people are seeing them as not doing much at a time of hardship."

Gareth Gordon
BBC News NI Political Correspondent

Mere survival is not enough.

Governments are not judged by smiley photo opportunities alone.

The vibes coming out of the executive remain good seven months after its return.

We no longer wonder from day to day if it will survive.

But we do wonder when it will begin to bring forward some meaningful business which will make a difference to people's lives.

Governments exist to govern and that usually involves setting out the actions they intend to take in future, including a programme of legislation they want to pass.

That is what they are judged by in the long term, not merely the ability to bury deep-rooted constitutional differences, but to govern for the common good.

It is in that vein ministers will meet around the executive table.

It is hoped they will sign off a draft programme for government which should quieten the critics.

But this being Stormont, we will really only truly believe it when we see it.

Image source, PA Media

SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole, Stormont's leader of the opposition, said the executive has “never given a clear sense of what its priorities are”.

Speaking on BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme earlier, he called on the executive to tackle issues including the health service which he said was “broken”, a “house building crisis” and an “ecological crisis” at Lough Neagh.

Mr O’Toole said that in order to address these issues the programme for government would need to set “clear targets” that had a timeline and “specific actions” towards achieving them.

Image source, Northern Ireland Executive

Power-sharing institutions were restored in February, but how well have things been going?

Think tank Pivotal has assessed the executive’s first seven months, external as ministers navigate strained public services and finances.

In a report published earlier this week, it found that while there has been some progress, the executive has “a huge amount to do” to repair services and make improvements in people’s day-to-day lives.

It also suggested that a lack of a programme for government was a “red flag” about the levels of determination and unity to tackle health reform and long-term economic issues.

There was also “little evidence” of progress on Northern Ireland’s major, long-term problems.

Some of the think tank's main recommendations include:

• A sustained period of effective government - with no room for collapse or threat of collapse - this, they say, is "essential"

• Publishing a programme as soon as possible
• Managing a tight budget – and plan for multi-year funding in future
• A relentless focus on improving public services, including health care, special needs education and water infrastructure

• Grasping long-term challenges and showing collective ownership of big issues, rather than immediate issues in the public eye

It’s been a while since the last programme for government was approved.

Northern Ireland's devolved government was restored in February after the DUP ended a two-year boycott over post-Brexit checks on goods going between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The last time an executive managed to get one over the line was during the Assembly’s fourth term between 2011 and 2015.

One was also agreed in 2016 and went out to public consultation.

However before it could be passed, the then Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in January 2017 and power sharing collapsed.

This is the view at Stormont Castle as we await to hear about a draft programme for government.

We're expecting to hear from executive ministers shortly.

We'll be bringing you the latest from the press conference as soon as it comes, stay with us.

Programmes for government are published by the devolved institutions as a way to set and measure long-term goals.

A programme for government is outcomes based.

These outcomes can be things with which people can identify, such as living longer and healthier lives or attracting better jobs - and are designed to stay in place for a generation rather than a single assembly term.

After the restoration of power sharing in February, there has been pressure on the executive to publish its programme for government.

It was expected that the draft roadmap would be published before Stormont’s summer recess.

However, July’s surprise UK general election caused some issues, with ministers receiving legal advice about publishing the programme during the campaign.

It'll be even longer before a programme for government is in place, as the Northern Ireland Assembly will need to approve the proposals before it goes to a public consultation.

Image source, Reuters

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today’s events at Stormont.

The Northern Ireland Executive is currently meeting and we understand ministers are to sign off on a draft programme for government – essentially setting out their priorities on what they would like to achieve.

We are expecting the first and deputy first ministers to speak to members of the media shortly.

We’ll bring you what they say as well as all the reaction.

You can also follow events live by clicking on the WATCH button at the top of this page.