The Northern Ireland Executive has come under fire for failing to provide sufficient cost of living support.
This comes after new figures from the Department of Finance revealed a £83.9 million resource DEL underspend across Executive Departments. These 2021-22 Provisional Outturn figures also showed a 35.9m Capital DEL underspend which will see more than £10m handed back to the treasury.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has criticised the significant underspends, commenting: "There are thousands of families across Northern Ireland who, for the first time, find themselves struggling to make ends meet despite working every hour they can. People who are being hit hardest by spiralling energy costs and other household bills will find it incredible that Executive Ministers are set to hand back millions to the Treasury in the face of the most severe household finance crisis in memory.
"The hard truth is that while Ministers have provided limited support, there are thousands of people across our communities who have received nothing and, under current plans, will receive nothing. That isn't good enough."
The Foyle MP added: "The SDLP has an action plan to address the cost of living crisis that would get support directly to every household that needs it. We have a plan to expand free school meal entitlement to make sure that no child goes hungry. We are ready to get to work to address this crisis.
"75 days on from an election where every Executive party promised support for families in the face of this crisis and they've failed to deliver anything. It is time for Ministers to get on with their jobs. It is time for the DUP to get back to work. It is time for politics to deliver for the people we represent."
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
01/05/2024
Sisk has been named as the main contractor for the first two phases of Vantage Data Centres flagship Ireland campus (DUB1) at Profile Park in Dublin. Located across 22 acres, the initial stages of the campus will include a 32MW facility and a 20MW facility, with the first phase set to be in ...
01/05/2024
NI Water has become one of the first public sector organisations to install a battery energy storage system which will reduce its carbon footprint. The 4.1 MW battery is powered by an existing solar farm at one of NI Water's largest water treatment plants at Dunore Point in Antrim. The battery has ...
01/05/2024
Kildare County Council has marked the completion of a new development of ten housing units at Ard Sceach, Coill Dubh. The units which were under 'Housing for All – a New Housing Plan for Ireland', includes four 1-bedroom properties as well three two-bedroom properties and three-bedroom houses. The ...
01/05/2024
The Government has updated and launched the Project Ireland 2040 Progress Tracker and the 'MyProjectIreland' interactive map. Project Ireland 2040 includes a transparent long-term strategy for public capital projects out to 2040. The 10-year period out to 2030 is backed by funding of €165 billion ...
01/05/2024
Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd has announced that the resurfacing and widening scheme on the A3 Portadown Road in Armagh has been completed. The scheme which extended for 1.3 kilometres will improve the structural integrity and surface quality of this busy A class road. Announcing ...
01/05/2024
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has hosted the latest Industrial Decarbonisation for Northern Ireland (IDNI) workshop which was attended by over 20 local businesses. Under the guidance of Invest NI, the event aimed to educate businesses and stakeholders about the objectives of IDNI, an ...
01/05/2024
Gas Networks Ireland has launched its new pre-excavation safety campaign with the introduction of its new campaign 'ambadgador', known as Keith. The campaign highlights the importance of safety first, urging individuals to always check for gas pipelines before they break ground. Gas Networks ...
01/05/2024
Cork County Council has officially launched its Town Centre First (TCF) Regeneration Plan for Skibbereen. The ambitious yet practical plans for Skibbereen Town Centre represents the culmination of extensive public engagement led by Cork County Council, aligning with the nationwide Town Centre ...
01/05/2024
The Housing Executive has announced that progress has been made to transform land in Laurencetown into a community garden and allotment with the introduction of a new shed and gardening tools. The Laurencetown Lenaderg and Tullylish Community Association received a £2,600 Community Grant, which ...
01/05/2024
SSE Renewables has announced that it will be the principal sponsor of the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials which are taking place this August in County Donegal. Organised by a voluntary Donegal Committee comprised of members of the International Sheep Dog Society, the trials are being held in ...