If the NI Executive wants help from the UK Government they must also help themselves. The Social Investment Fund had £80m, approx. £47m still not committed, this should be directed to front line services in the Executive budget. If a family have spare finance they may consider building a new home, but normally not when they are already significantly in debt and a new home would seriously add to that debt. However that is precisely what the current government are planning to do with the building of a new DARD HQ at Ballykelly. Surely this spend of £tens of millions could at least be delayed for some time until the economy recovers, and again put the money into much needed current front line services. A new post primary Irish Medium school at Dungiven has been approved by Minister ODowd that will cost of £millions, for an initial enrolment of 14 pupils, while other excellent performing schools are being closed and no money for other new builds. Another waste of money, lots of Irish Medium provision at schools like St Patricks Maghera. Indeed this proposal was recommended for refusal by the Department of Education (see attached recommendation from Department of Education and draft press release that was over-ruled by SF Minister). Its time that the Executive started helping themselves and then there may be more sympathy from UK Government.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 19:55:46 +0000
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