14/02/2006
Sinn Fein urge Hain to give more funding to public services
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain has today been urged to put millions of pounds from peace process savings into public services in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Fein economy spokesperson Mitchel McLaughlin suggested that Mr Hain should release money from the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence's budgets following the scaling down of security forces in the wake of the IRA decommissioning last July.
Mr McLaughlin said: "The latest expenditure figures for the NIO and MoD are £1,025 million and £682 million respectively. Peter Hain says he wants to look at the expenditure of all government departments, and while many are suspicious that this is not good news for public services, the logic must be that he also examines the £1.7 billion expenditure in this area.
"The return of the local institutions and progress on demilitarisation would suggest that there is a huge amount of potential in cutting back on the NIO and military spending in order to direct money into frontline public services.
Speaking at Stormont last month, Peter Hain had announced plans for a comprehensive review of how taxpayers' money is spent in Northern Ireland.
He said that the government needed to be smaller in order to be more effective in ensuring that taxpayers' money is spent on the frontline.
The Secretary of State had previously aimed to cut the number of councils, councillors, health trusts, create one health authority and one education authority, and estimated that it could save around £200 million per year.
(EF/SP)
Sinn Fein economy spokesperson Mitchel McLaughlin suggested that Mr Hain should release money from the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence's budgets following the scaling down of security forces in the wake of the IRA decommissioning last July.
Mr McLaughlin said: "The latest expenditure figures for the NIO and MoD are £1,025 million and £682 million respectively. Peter Hain says he wants to look at the expenditure of all government departments, and while many are suspicious that this is not good news for public services, the logic must be that he also examines the £1.7 billion expenditure in this area.
"The return of the local institutions and progress on demilitarisation would suggest that there is a huge amount of potential in cutting back on the NIO and military spending in order to direct money into frontline public services.
Speaking at Stormont last month, Peter Hain had announced plans for a comprehensive review of how taxpayers' money is spent in Northern Ireland.
He said that the government needed to be smaller in order to be more effective in ensuring that taxpayers' money is spent on the frontline.
The Secretary of State had previously aimed to cut the number of councils, councillors, health trusts, create one health authority and one education authority, and estimated that it could save around £200 million per year.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 June 2005
Hain acknowledges 'vital' role of Police Oversight Commissioner
Secretary of State Peter Hain has described the role of Police Oversight Commissioner, Al Hutchinson, as vital “in monitoring the remarkable pace of change in policing envisaged by Patten”.
Hain acknowledges 'vital' role of Police Oversight Commissioner
Secretary of State Peter Hain has described the role of Police Oversight Commissioner, Al Hutchinson, as vital “in monitoring the remarkable pace of change in policing envisaged by Patten”.
22 November 2005
Hain unveils major local government shake up
Secretary of State Peter Hain has unveiled plans for the biggest shake up in Northern Ireland's local government in over a quarter of a century. Under the new proposals which follows a Review of Public Administration, Mr Hain described the plans as "the greatest single challenge to the public sector in Northern Ireland in over 30 years".
Hain unveils major local government shake up
Secretary of State Peter Hain has unveiled plans for the biggest shake up in Northern Ireland's local government in over a quarter of a century. Under the new proposals which follows a Review of Public Administration, Mr Hain described the plans as "the greatest single challenge to the public sector in Northern Ireland in over 30 years".
31 January 2006
Hain unveils radical NI spending review
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has announced a radical review of the way Government money is allocated and spent in the province.
Hain unveils radical NI spending review
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has announced a radical review of the way Government money is allocated and spent in the province.
04 March 2022
Dunmurry Manor Care Home Report Published
The Department of Health has announced the publication of an independent report into the handling of complaints about safeguarding and care at Dunmurry Manor Care Home.
Dunmurry Manor Care Home Report Published
The Department of Health has announced the publication of an independent report into the handling of complaints about safeguarding and care at Dunmurry Manor Care Home.
16 February 2006
Hain announces Northern Ireland Bill
Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has today introduced new legislation to the House of Commons to help pave the way for future devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland.
Hain announces Northern Ireland Bill
Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has today introduced new legislation to the House of Commons to help pave the way for future devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.