Lyons commits to ‘doing things differently’ in initial Budget allocations

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has set out his commitment to ‘doing things differently' in his initial budget allocations for 2025-26 to deliver positive outcomes in the lives of people.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Minister said: “The work that my department does is transformational. It impacts people across Northern Ireland and delivers positive outcomes, often for those in greatest need.

“I am determined to use the money that has been secured to best effect. Recognising the financial pressures, this means doing things differently.”

The Minister announced a series of innovative programmes to increase home building; to increase employability and to protect discretionary funding for those who most need it.

He said: “It is not enough to simply ask for more money.

“I will be bringing proposals to the Executive shortly on how we can do more with the money we have and build more homes.

“I will also bring forward a new employment programme, the most extensive in recent times, which will support all age groups and tackle the barriers to economic inactivity.

“I am committed to continuing to support those who need it most. I intend to maintain the Discretionary Support Grant Budget but will be introducing reforms to protect this money from fraud and protect those who really need it.”

The Minister highlighted a number of initial budget allocations:

• an additional allocation to Homelessness and the Supporting People Programme of £3.7m above the 2024-25 Budget position.
• £2.8m capital to the New Foundation Project to move forward with securing 110 units of accommodation to support Young People Leaving care.
•  investment in a new employment program to support all tackle the barriers to economic inactivity,
• An additional resource allocation to National Museums NI and Libraries NI
  • Capital funding of £750k which includes the replacement of Enniskillen Library
  • allocating £200k to Newtownards Library.
• Capital funding of £30k for the National Museum NI's Museum Collection Fund and £80k for small capital grants.
• Grassroots arts funding of £750k for musical instruments and £500k small capital grants to support local venues and creative spaces
•  £4m to Neighbourhood Renewal capital schemes
• £2.5m as part of a wider funding package for Glengormley Public Realm; £3m Shankill Gateway public realm scheme; £5m Public Realm works adjacent to the city walls in Londonderry
• £1.6m investment in essential conservation works at Carrickfergus Castle.
• Six-fold increase in the Your School, Your Club programme.

The Minister added: “My initial budget allocations are set out in detail in the Equality Impact Assessment consultation. I would encourage everyone to make their views known to inform the decision making process going forward.”

The Minister's full Oral statement is available here: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/oral-statement-ni-assembly-communities-minister-gordon-lyons-mla-initial-budget-allocations-2025-26

Notes to editors:

1. The Draft Budget EQIA is on the Department's website www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-department-communities-budget-2025-26-allocations
2. The Executive's Budget 2025-26 settlement provides the Department with £950.9m Non-Ring-Fenced Resource DEL, £270m Capital DEL and £48.1m Financial Transactions Capital.