Finance Minister John O'Dowd has allocated £129 million for six transformation projects across Northern Ireland's public services, spanning healthcare, special educational needs, justice, and infrastructure.

The funding, to be distributed over five years, aims to support innovative projects that adapt to the evolving needs of citizens.

"Transforming how we deliver services requires courage and ambition to try new ways of doing things," said Minister O'Dowd. "I am pleased today to announce £129m of funding for innovative projects which will help support and drive the transformation of our public services."

The six funded projects are:

• £61m: Department of Health's Primary Care Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) proposal to stabilise primary care and enhance community-based care.

• £27.5m: Department of Education's proposal to improve services for children with special educational needs through pilot programs. • £20.45m: Department of Justice and Public Prosecution Service's proposal to expedite and transform the criminal justice system.

• £2.19m: Department of Justice's Electronic Tagging proposal to enhance community monitoring.

• £15m: Department for Infrastructure's Urban Drainage proposal for a pilot project on rainwater management.

• £3m: Department for Infrastructure's Transforming Planning proposal to improve the planning system.

Additionally, £0.3 million will be allocated to the Executive Office for a Digital Maturity Assessment of digital transformation proposals.

The funding is part of a £235 million allocation from the UK Government for public sector transformation. Approximately £100 million remains for future distribution following the digital assessment and further transformation proposals.

"While this funding will in no way tackle the magnitude of issues at hand, it will be significant in helping to develop and implement a model of delivery, to stimulate the wider transformation of public services," concluded Minister O'Dowd.