Stormont departments have set out how almost £39m from the Local Growth Fund will be used across Northern Ireland. The package combines close to £12m of day-to-day spending with £27.4m for capital projects, including business support, town-centre renewal and transport improvements.
The Department for the Economy is receiving the largest share of the capital allocation at £13m. Its planned work includes support for innovation, business start-ups and social enterprises. Within that total, £7.1m is earmarked for Invest Northern Ireland projects, including early design work at the Mandeville industrial estate in Craigavon.
A further £7m is going to the Department for Communities for measures that include town-centre renewal and bringing vacant properties back into use. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is allocated £3.8m for innovation and sustainability in farming, while the Department for Infrastructure will receive £3.2m for transport and connectivity projects.
The fund is a UK Government programme for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its published framework says it is intended to support productivity, jobs, skills and improvements to local places, with devolved administrations responsible for delivery and monitoring in their areas.
The balance between capital and revenue spending has been disputed since the programme was announced. In January, the Northern Ireland Executive said the amount available for everyday services was too low and asked the UK Government to change the funding profile. Community organisations have also warned that the move away from previous revenue support is affecting jobs and services.
Ministers said the latest allocations would allow projects to move ahead during the current financial year. Details of individual schemes, delivery timetables and the measures used to assess results are expected to be published by the departments responsible for each part of the programme.