Confirmed: Northern Ireland Budget Set | Public Sector Update

The latest budget announcement for Northern Ireland has shed light on the financial challenges faced by the region, with more than £15 billion committed to Departmental Resource budgets and just over £2 billion allocated for capital investments. The Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, highlighted the tough decisions that had to be made due to limited funding exceeding the demands on finances.

Since the restoration of devolution, it was anticipated that this budget would be a difficult one, as the financial constraints were evident. Dr Archibald stated, “The stark reality is the demands on our finances far outstrip the funding available many times over. No department has received the level of funding it has bid for. As an Executive, we have had to make tough choices and prioritise the funding envelope we have.”

Health emerged as a priority in the budget, receiving over half of the total allocation for day-to-day costs, with £34 million earmarked to tackle waiting lists. Education also received a significant share, demonstrating the government’s commitment to the sector. Additionally, a Childcare Strategy was acknowledged, with £25 million set aside for this purpose.

The breakdown of allocations for Departmental Resource budgets includes:

– £7.76 billion for the Department of Health
– £2.87 billion for the Department of Education
– £1.26 billion for the Department of Justice
– £856 million for the Department for Communities
– £7.66.6 million for the Department for the Economy
– £577.3 million for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
– £559.5 million for the Department for Infrastructure
– £208.1 million for the Department of Finance
– £183.2 million for The Executive Office

For the capital budgets, allocations include:

– £820.1 million for the Department for Infrastructure
– £416.8 million for the Department of Health
– £254.3 million for the Department of Education
– £221.9 million for the Department for the Economy
– £133.4 million for the Department for Communities
– £91.9 million for the Department of Justice
– £95 million for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
– £38.9 million for the Department of Finance
– £10.5 million for The Executive Office

Looking ahead, the Finance Minister is set to push for additional funding from the UK Government to ensure sustainable financing for Northern Ireland. The aim is to secure a multi-year budget that allows for long-term planning and empowers improvements in public services.

Overall, the recent budget announcement reflects the challenging financial landscape in Northern Ireland and the government’s efforts to navigate through limited resources to meet the diverse needs of the community.

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