The construction industry is in for a huge boost with news that the long-awaited NI multi-Training College for the Police, Prison and Fire and Rescue Service in Cookstown has finally had its funding assured.

The NI Policing Board member, Ian McCrea MLA, has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Health & Social Services (DHSSPS) Minister, Edwin Poots, and said: "I welcome this announcement as both a member of the NI Policing Board and MLA for Mid Ulster.

"This announcement is once again a clear indication that we are seeing positive change in the DHSSPS after Edwin Poots took over the Department from Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey.

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"In the previous mandate we saw Michael McGimpsey block the development of a multi-Training College, which includes the PSNI, Fire Service and Prison Service.

"I am pleased that the new Minister has made this money available, which was granted to the previous Minister in the 2010 Budget," the politician continued.

"This project is worth a total of £140m and now that both the DHSSPS and Department of Justice have given the go ahead for this project I am confident it will proceed with an opening time scheduled for 2015," he said, noting that the capital investment has been secured from the DHSSPS and running costs, for the Fire Service aspect, will be met by NI Fire and Rescue on an annual basis.

"This is most welcome from my constituency's point of view given the severe decline in construction industry. This I wholeheartedly welcome."

See: Police College Funding Boosts Builders

(BMcC/KMcA)