Finance Minister John O'Dowd has announced £23.31 million in resource funding from the Local Growth Fund for 2027/28 to 2028/29.

The package allocates £19.52 million to the Department for Communities to deliver an Economic Inclusion programme, and £3.79 million to the Department for the Economy to support business growth and innovation.

Building on the £27.4 million capital allocation from the Local Growth Fund in August 2026, the Minister said work is progressing to distribute a further £57.77 million, primarily capital, to departments over the same period.

Speaking after the Assembly announcement, Minister O'Dowd said: "This investment will provide certainty for delivery partners as they plan and implement programmes over the coming years. "Most importantly, this funding will support interventions that will make a real difference to people, families, businesses and workers here. It will help create opportunities for those seeking to enter or return to employment, while also supporting innovation, productivity and business growth.

"Alongside the capital investments already announced, this funding demonstrates the Executive commitment to ensuring that the Local Growth Fund delivers tangible economic and social benefits, helping to build a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable economy."

According to the department, this allocation is in addition to £11.8 million of resource funding being delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2026/27. Capital funding for 2026/27, and both capital and resource funding in 2027/28 and 2028/29, are being delivered under an Investment Plan led by the Northern Ireland Office. The Local Growth Fund is administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.