Infrastructure Minister has put people at the heart of
her budget decisions as she continues to deliver positive change
for all.
As part of the budget outlook for this financial year, additional
funding will be given to the Community Transport sector and the
road safety advertising budget will be restored. Improvements to
the road network will continue and more active travel
infrastructure will be rolled out, while NI Water and
Translink will both receive significant funding.
said: “Infrastructure
is central to everything we do as a society, and I am determined
to continue to address regional imbalance and deliver positive
changes for all.
“Public finances are limited, and we have a lot to do to
make up for years of austerity by the British government and
underfunding but I will ensure that people are at the heart of
funding decisions, and that we do all that we can to be efficient
and effective in the delivery of public services.
“Community transport is a lifeline for many people and
has an important role to play across the North, which is why I
will continue to support this important transport service and
have allocated an additional £1m to providers for this year.
“I want to make public transport more accessible, so
Translink will receive nearly 24% of the opening resource and
over 33% of the general capital budgets allocated to my
Department, which will assist the company to develop the
network. Indeed, Translink will receive 86% of what it asked
for in capital, demonstrating my commitment to invest in public
transport. I am also ring-fencing £1m for the
All-Island Rail Review studies, to ensure that momentum on this
work continues. This is important in terms of our need to reduce
the reliance on car use as we move towards decarbonising
transport.
“NI Water will receive 23% of the opening resource and
over 40% of the general capital budgets allocated to my
Department. At opening budget, NI Water is receiving 86% of what
it identified it could deliver this year, and when the additional
funding that I secured in June monitoring is taken into
consideration, this increases to almost 90% of the ask, which is
a significant level of investment in our water and wastewater
infrastructure. Together, we will continue to do all that
we can to enable the release of capacity constraints to support
future housing and wider economic development. Since coming into
office, I have announced the unlocking of wastewater capacity for
over 5000 properties. This is an example of what can be achieved
when we work in partnership to find solutions.
“Road safety is a priority for me, which is why I have
increased the road safety advertising budget by over £1.5m, while
on the practical side, there will be an increase in essential
road maintenance and enhancing signs and lines.
“Similarly for our rivers and waterways, an increased
budget for flood risk management will improve flood defences and
provide critical infrastructure to help keep people and property
protected from the increased risk of flooding associated with
climate change and Waterways Ireland has received funding to
deliver business plan objectives.”
The Minister added: “Everything we do as a society relies
on infrastructure and, through targeted funding, I am determined
to deliver positive differences today, while laying strong
foundations to build a better future for generations to
come.”
Notes to editors:
- As part of the opening budget decisions taken, NI Water will
receive £149m Resource Budget, plus a further £32m Resource
Budget for the Roads Drainage Charge. In capital, NI Water will
receive an opening allocation of £350m.
- Translink will receive £151m Resource Budget for day to day
spending, and £234m Capital Budget, including earmarked funds.
- Waterways Ireland will receive £4.8m Resource Budget and
£2.7m Capital Budget for infrastructure projects in the North.
