Menu
24/09/2002
Health is big winner in Farren's draft budget
The Minister of Finance and Personnel today published the executive's draft budget spending plans for 2003-2006, and the largest single benefactor is the Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
The health department's expenditure will rise by 13.6% to over £3 billion in 2003-04. This includes allocations from the Executive Programme Funds and the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.
Dr Farren said: “In our discussions in the executive there was clear recognition of the very significant demands on the health service at this time. The reality is that it needs increases of around 10% to maintain standards of care, because of the cost structure of the service.
“This represents a significant percentage of our budget, and illustrates the priority we have given to the health service."
In announcing substantial increases for other top priorities, Mr Farren described his budget as "radical" and "reform driven".
The Minister said: “This is firstly a reform driven budget… it is radical in that it represents a departure from previous spending plans in order to meet the priorities established by the assembly."
The budget is the first time the Executive has agreed three-year spending plans and, alongside the next round of allocations to infrastructure projects, which will come later in the autumn, the minister said this means that "we will have a much better basis for the planning of public services – to the benefit of the people we serve".
Elsewhere in other departments budget allocations include:
Maurice Dunlop, Chairman of the BMA's NI Council, said the budget was "encouraging", but added that funding must be targeted within the context of a coherent strategic plan. "All too often money disappears into the vast caverns of the NHS and is lost," he said.
(GMcG)
The health department's expenditure will rise by 13.6% to over £3 billion in 2003-04. This includes allocations from the Executive Programme Funds and the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.
Dr Farren said: “In our discussions in the executive there was clear recognition of the very significant demands on the health service at this time. The reality is that it needs increases of around 10% to maintain standards of care, because of the cost structure of the service.
“This represents a significant percentage of our budget, and illustrates the priority we have given to the health service."
In announcing substantial increases for other top priorities, Mr Farren described his budget as "radical" and "reform driven".
The Minister said: “This is firstly a reform driven budget… it is radical in that it represents a departure from previous spending plans in order to meet the priorities established by the assembly."
The budget is the first time the Executive has agreed three-year spending plans and, alongside the next round of allocations to infrastructure projects, which will come later in the autumn, the minister said this means that "we will have a much better basis for the planning of public services – to the benefit of the people we serve".
Elsewhere in other departments budget allocations include:
- The allocation proposed for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development represents an increase of 13% for 2003-04 over 2002-03
- The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure would receive £96.6 million in 2003-04, an increase of 9.9%
- The Department of Education would see expenditure rise to over £1.5 billion in 2003-04 – an increase of 6.6% in comparison to 2002-03
- The Department of the Environment will see an increase of 10% in 2003-04 above the 2002-03 allocation
- However, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment was granted a flexible budget, the elasticity of which would allow DETI and Invest NI "to pursue and secure all possible worthwhile investment projects". For 2003-04, the high end of the range for DETI would be similar to the budget for 2002-03, with the maximum reflective of the economic climate
- The Department of Finance and Personnel will see funding of £165 million for 2003-04, rising to £184.6 million for 2005-06 The Department for Employment and Learning’s allocation of £669.8 million for 2003-04, represents an increase of 6.2% in comparison to 2002-03
- The £591.2 million pounds spending plans for the Department for Regional Development, would provide an increase of 4.3% compared to the 2002-03 allocation
- The provision of £569.5 million for the Department for Social Development in 2003-04, amounts to a rise of 4.2%, rising to £616.3 million by 2005-06
- For the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister the draft budget proposes departmental expenditure totalling £38.6 million in 2003-04, rising to £43.3 million in 2005-06.
Maurice Dunlop, Chairman of the BMA's NI Council, said the budget was "encouraging", but added that funding must be targeted within the context of a coherent strategic plan. "All too often money disappears into the vast caverns of the NHS and is lost," he said.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 May 2024
£25m Funding Allocated For Early Learning And Childcare
A funding package of £25 million has been announced by Education Minister Paul Givan to support children, parents and providers with early learning and childcare in 2024/25. The package of measures is designed to stabilise and support expansion of the early learning and childcare sector, offer all children 22.
£25m Funding Allocated For Early Learning And Childcare
A funding package of £25 million has been announced by Education Minister Paul Givan to support children, parents and providers with early learning and childcare in 2024/25. The package of measures is designed to stabilise and support expansion of the early learning and childcare sector, offer all children 22.
10 July 2023
Greens 'Deeply Concerned' Over Impact Of Infrastructure Budget
The Green Party NI has expressed its "deep concern" over the final budget allocations announced by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). Cllr Rachel Woods said that the final budget allocations for this financial year will have disturbing impacts on the delivery of public services and for community good.
Greens 'Deeply Concerned' Over Impact Of Infrastructure Budget
The Green Party NI has expressed its "deep concern" over the final budget allocations announced by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). Cllr Rachel Woods said that the final budget allocations for this financial year will have disturbing impacts on the delivery of public services and for community good.
04 July 2023
Potholes Must Be Repaired To A Satisfactory Standard - Alliance
Belfast City Council is to write to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) after complaints from residents in relation to pothole repairs. Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long has questioned the standard of repairs to potholes following multiple attempts being made to the same pothole.
Potholes Must Be Repaired To A Satisfactory Standard - Alliance
Belfast City Council is to write to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) after complaints from residents in relation to pothole repairs. Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long has questioned the standard of repairs to potholes following multiple attempts being made to the same pothole.
22 June 2023
Dept For Communities Outlines Final Budget Allocations
Following an initial budget assessment in May and the completion of the first stage of an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) consultation, the Department for Communities has set out its final budget allocations for 2023-24.
Dept For Communities Outlines Final Budget Allocations
Following an initial budget assessment in May and the completion of the first stage of an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) consultation, the Department for Communities has set out its final budget allocations for 2023-24.
05 June 2023
Sinn Fein Hits Out Over Proposed Budget Cuts For Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has hot out over the proposed budget cuts for Special Educational Needs support. MLA Pat Sheehan said it is "deeply concerning" that funding for schools in NI is to be slashed in half. He said: "Children with special educational needs require the highest level of support in our schools to ensure they have the best start in life.
Sinn Fein Hits Out Over Proposed Budget Cuts For Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has hot out over the proposed budget cuts for Special Educational Needs support. MLA Pat Sheehan said it is "deeply concerning" that funding for schools in NI is to be slashed in half. He said: "Children with special educational needs require the highest level of support in our schools to ensure they have the best start in life.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
