Capital spend on key projects up by £290m

An extra £290 million was spent last year on schools, hospitals, roads and other capital projects compared to 2003-04, Finance Minister Jeff Rooker has announced.

The figures were revealed in today's published details of spending by Northern Ireland Departments in the last financial year (2004-05).

These show that the level of spend was some £6,898 million on the current expenditure side, and £972 million for capital investment, representing 99.1% and 91.6% respectively of final planned spend.

Commenting on the spending figures, Mr Rooker said: "Public spending in Northern Ireland is now at record levels and we must continue to ensure that we get maximum value for money from every penny spent. That includes ensuring we spend the money allocated on the public services that matter most to people.

"We have taken steps to ensure that more gets spent year on year and last year achieved 99.1% of planned spend of current expenditure, and 91.6% of planned spend on capital investment.

"It is important also to recognise that the planned spending that did not happen, along with money we planned to carry forward, is not lost to Northern Ireland, but is instead carried forward for use here."

In accordance with normal End Year Flexibility arrangements, all amounts not spent, along with sums that were previously planned to be carried forward, will continue to be available for use in Departmental spending programmes in Northern Ireland.

(MB/SP)