Menu
16/07/2002
Farren says Executive will deliver with public service funding
Finance Minister, Dr Sean Farren has welcomed the additional money for public services in Northern Ireland, as announced yesterday by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his Spending Review.
The province has been targeted with an extra £1.2 billion in funding over the next four years, as part of a £90 billion package for the UK as a whole.
Dr Farren said that the Executive would rise to the challenges of delivering the best possible public services, and said that he was glad that the Chancellor has found more money than was expected to provide for public services.
He commented: "Preparatory work on our own budget is already well underway and will now take full account of the additional resources available. The Executive will publish its draft budget in September indicating how we propose to allocate resources to services here in line with the priorities of our Programme for Government. We have already established as priority areas health, Education and Infrastructure."
He added: "The best way we can pursue the interests of the public here is to make the best possible use of the money that is available: we will secure value for money; explore innovative developments in service delivery and management; and, where necessary, challenge old priorities. Delivering reform must be the centre of our attention."
Looking ahead to the coming Budget discussions in Northern Ireland, Dr Farren went on to say that the Executive would be carefully considering how best to fulfil objectives. He continued: "A spending review should mean change - changing priorities to take account of what is needed and wanted most by our society. This may mean some hard choices, if resources are to be used as effectively as possible."
The Executive has also commissioned a wide-ranging series of Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations to assess the need for expenditure on its programmes and the effectiveness of existing spending. The Finance Minister added: "These reviews will be released to the Assembly as they are completed. They provide us with the widest possible range of information on how effectively we are spending money and they will be invaluable in informing the Executive as we tackle the difficult task of dividing up the resources available in the budget.
"Our overall aim is to provide high quality public services in order to ensure a healthier, better educated and economically more successful society, all of which are the benefits the public wants to see flowing from devolution and from the Good Friday Agreement."
(CL)
The province has been targeted with an extra £1.2 billion in funding over the next four years, as part of a £90 billion package for the UK as a whole.
Dr Farren said that the Executive would rise to the challenges of delivering the best possible public services, and said that he was glad that the Chancellor has found more money than was expected to provide for public services.
He commented: "Preparatory work on our own budget is already well underway and will now take full account of the additional resources available. The Executive will publish its draft budget in September indicating how we propose to allocate resources to services here in line with the priorities of our Programme for Government. We have already established as priority areas health, Education and Infrastructure."
He added: "The best way we can pursue the interests of the public here is to make the best possible use of the money that is available: we will secure value for money; explore innovative developments in service delivery and management; and, where necessary, challenge old priorities. Delivering reform must be the centre of our attention."
Looking ahead to the coming Budget discussions in Northern Ireland, Dr Farren went on to say that the Executive would be carefully considering how best to fulfil objectives. He continued: "A spending review should mean change - changing priorities to take account of what is needed and wanted most by our society. This may mean some hard choices, if resources are to be used as effectively as possible."
The Executive has also commissioned a wide-ranging series of Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations to assess the need for expenditure on its programmes and the effectiveness of existing spending. The Finance Minister added: "These reviews will be released to the Assembly as they are completed. They provide us with the widest possible range of information on how effectively we are spending money and they will be invaluable in informing the Executive as we tackle the difficult task of dividing up the resources available in the budget.
"Our overall aim is to provide high quality public services in order to ensure a healthier, better educated and economically more successful society, all of which are the benefits the public wants to see flowing from devolution and from the Good Friday Agreement."
(CL)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 April 2013
Urgent Public Service Reform Needed - Report
The Northern Ireland Executive must pursue public service reform with greater urgency, according to a new report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Urgent Public Service Reform Needed - Report
The Northern Ireland Executive must pursue public service reform with greater urgency, according to a new report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
26 November 2012
Minister Disappointed At Decision On Public Service Pension Reform
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has today made clear his disappointment that the Executive has failed to agree to the use of a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) that would allow for the reform of public service pensions in Northern Ireland.
Minister Disappointed At Decision On Public Service Pension Reform
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has today made clear his disappointment that the Executive has failed to agree to the use of a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) that would allow for the reform of public service pensions in Northern Ireland.
08 February 2024
Finance Minister Committed To Delivering Public Sector Pay Award
New Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, has committed to delivering a public sector pay award that will reflect "the vital role they play in delivering public services". The Minister has held her first official meeting with civil service trade unions – NIPSA, FDA, Unite and GMB – to discuss the issues affecting public services.
Finance Minister Committed To Delivering Public Sector Pay Award
New Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, has committed to delivering a public sector pay award that will reflect "the vital role they play in delivering public services". The Minister has held her first official meeting with civil service trade unions – NIPSA, FDA, Unite and GMB – to discuss the issues affecting public services.
13 February 2024
UK Govt Outlines Full Details Of £3.3bn NI Spending Settlement
The UK Government has outlined the full details of the £3.3 billion spending settlement for Northern Ireland in a letter sent to Minister for Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
UK Govt Outlines Full Details Of £3.3bn NI Spending Settlement
The UK Government has outlined the full details of the £3.3 billion spending settlement for Northern Ireland in a letter sent to Minister for Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
14 March 2014
Finance Minister Warns On Future Public Spending
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said the next number of years in Northern Ireland will "eclipse even the last four years of austerity.
Finance Minister Warns On Future Public Spending
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said the next number of years in Northern Ireland will "eclipse even the last four years of austerity.
-
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.
