Stormont ministers have approved extra funds for the fire service, social housing, victims and the arts in their final Budget.
As the power sharing Executive signed off on its Budget, investment strategy and Programme for Government, Stormont sources revealed an additional £14 million has been found for Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to spend over three years on the modernisation of the fire service.
The move comes after Bill Gillespie, the chair of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service had expressed concern about their budget allocation, warning some of the North's 26 stations were not fit for purpose.
MLAs were also warned that the fire service would have to consider removing some full-time firefighters from stations in Ballymena, Lisburn, Lurgan, Bangor and Newry if the Budget allocation was not increased significantly from the £4 million which had been earmarked.
Mr McGimpsey will also receive additional funds for mental health services while Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie will be given over £200 million over three years to deliver new social housing. Both ministers had expressed concern about the original Budget allocation by Finance Minister Peter Robinson to their budgets.
Mr Robinson and his colleagues have also approved additional funding for youth services for Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, for victims issues which fall under the remit of the Office of First and Deputy First Minister and for Culture Minister Edwin Poots' arts budget.
Ministers have also committed themselves to carry out equality impact assessments on every commitment in the Budget, the Programme for Government and investment strategy - ensuring each policy targets the most vulnerable communities.
While a Health Department source would not discuss the final details of the Budget agreement, he said the deal represented good news for the health service. The Finance Minister will reveal the full details of the Budget allocations in a statement to the House tomorrow.