Stormont Executive Is 'Building For Future'

Construction work on the new South West Hospital in Enniskillen and new Health and Wellbeing Centres that are underway in west Belfast were yesterday highlighted as two examples of success by the NI Executive.

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has used these projects to attack those who have criticised the performance of the Executive.

He was speaking on the day he outlined the performance of Government Departments over the past financial year to the Assembly.

The Minister attacked those who had questioned the performance of the Executive and said: "The past financial year has been incredibly difficult for the Northern Ireland economy. The depth of the recession has provided challenges for many sections of our society," he said, noting progress since last April.

He said that other building projects had been successful, noting that 14 major school building projects have been completed – with a further two projects likely to complete soon.

He said that funding of almost £203million was made available to the two universities to cover teaching, learning and research and that a new technology and skills centre opened at the South West College and new facilities are under construction at the Belfast Metropolitan College.

He said: "1,750 social and over 500 affordable houses were built, leaving us on track to deliver 10,000 social and affordable homes by 2013 and, in so doing, helping us support the construction industry during challenging times."

On other issues away from the building industry he said: "In the Health Service, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service took receipt of 66 new ambulances; a new Dementia Services Development Centre and the Knockbreda Health and Care Centre has opened in Belfast whilst the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick opened in May and a £17million contract has been awarded to provide additional dentists in access 'hotspots' across Northern Ireland.

He added: "£2.1billion pounds of social security benefits and income support was made available to support people across Northern Ireland and in agriculture, 1,268 farm businesses have received letters of offer in relation to the first tranche of the Farm Modernisation Programme, whilst farmers have benefited through funding of £300million under the Common Agricultural Policy."

The Minister also highlighted improvements to roads in 2009-10, including the M2 improvement scheme, the new flyover junction on the A1 Newry Bypass and the recent award of the contract for the A8 Belfast to Larne project.

Mr Wilson concluded: "The past year has been difficult, with an ever-tightening fiscal situation and the continuing economic problems that have gripped our country. Yet, as a local administration, we have been able to respond to local needs in 2009-10 and we will continue to do that in the future.

"Those critics who find it easy to highlight the apparent failings of the Executive are contributing nothing to improving the lives of local people. By delivering better services to everyone in Northern Ireland, the Executive is clearly making a difference."

(BMcc/GK)