The Northern Ireland Executive has confirmed its budget for the 2024-25 financial year.
More than £15 billion is being committed for the Departmental Resource DEL budgets, whilst just over £2 billion will make up the overall investment in Departments’ capital budgets.
As outlined when devolved power was returned to Northern Ireland, funding for the next budget was a concern, and this has been backed up by the Finance Minister’s statement that this budget is a difficult one. Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Northern Irish Finance Minister, said:
“Since devolution was restored, we have been really clear this was always going to be a difficult budget. 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.
“With increased demands on services and rising costs, I recognise these allocations won’t provide sufficient funding for departments to do everything they want – that is regrettable for all Executive Ministers.
“The Budget underlines our commitment to health with it receiving over half of the total amount allocated to departments for day-to-day costs, including £34m to tackle waiting lists. While Education has received almost a fifth of the funding.
“Recognising the importance of a Childcare Strategy, £25m is being set aside for this.”
Allocations for the Departmental Resource budgets include:
- £7.76 billion – Department of Health
- £2.87 billion – Department of Education
- £1.26 billion - Department of Justice
- £856 million - Department for Communities
- £7.66.6 million – Department for the Economy
- £577.3 million - Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- £559.5 million – Department for Infrastructure
- £208.1million - Department of Finance
- £183.2 million – The Executive Office
The Capital allocations for the departments include:
- £820.1 million – Department for Infrastructure
- £416.8 million – Department of Health
- £254.3 million – Department of Education
- £221.9 million – Department for the Economy
- £133.4 million – Department for Communities
- £91.9 million – Department of Justice
- £95 million - Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- £38.9 million – Department of Finance
- £10.5 million – The Executive Office
Following the announcement of the funding allocations, the Finance Minister also confirmed that she will be making the case to the UK Government that more funding must be committed to Northern Ireland, to ensure that it is financed sustainably. According to the minister, this would come with a multi-year budget, enabling long-term planning and the appropriate powers to improve public services.
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