Northern Ireland Budget (PDF File)
Northern Ireland’s Minister for Finance vowed to plough more cash into hospitals today after allocating the largest portion of his budget to the North’s ailing health service.
Mr Mark Durkan’s budget promises to pour around £2.5 billion into the NHS during 2002-2003, an increase of 8.1 per cent from this year.
"It is clearly right that we should increase the relative amount we spend on health and provide substantial resources now in the budget," said Mr Durkan.
The budget for the coming year will total £6.09 billion, an increase of seven per cent over last year.
More than £1.4 billion will be allocated to the Department of Education, which constitutes a 4.5 per cent increase on this year. An extra £30.4 million was allocated for the expansion of further and higher education places.
The investment programme for public transport is set to benefit from a 14.8 per cent rise to £538.3 million.
The Department of the Environment will receive £584 million - an increase of 6.1 per cent for student support and investment in education and skills.
Mr Durkan’s own department, Finance and Personnel, received £116.2 million, up three per cent, to help it in its "drive to provide modern, efficient public services".
The Assembly was allocated £39.9 million to enable it to meet operational costs.
PA