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Written question asked by Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Thursday, 29 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 March 2024 (named day). It was answered by Steve Baker (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 March 2024 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Integrated Schools: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether Stormont House Agreement Fresh Start funding allocations were included in recent the Northern Ireland Assembly Restoration Package.

Answer

The UK Government is providing the Executive with a significant £3.3 billion spending settlement to stabilise its finances and protect public services. Within this package, we are increasing the spending power of the Executive by repurposing over £700 million of existing and new UK Government funds.

The Fresh Start agreement in 2015 made provision for funding for integrated and shared education over 10 years. As that capital funding was due to expire at the end of 2024-25, the decision to remove the ring-fence on £150m of Fresh Start Agreement funding was made by the UK Government after assessing existing funding in Northern Ireland. We came to a considered position in response to the challenging budgetary position faced by the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Northern Ireland Executive will be able to decide how it uses the non-ring fenced funding element of reprioritised and new UK Government funding streams which contribute to the settlement package.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16419
Session
2023-24
Related items
Integrated Schools: Finance
Tuesday, 12 March 2024
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Finance Integrated schools Stormont House Agreement
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk