A recession-beating jobs boost is being delayed, it has been claimed.

A modern facility for the arts in Belfast - that was first agreed under an NIO Direct Rule Minister almost six years ago - has still not been started.

Initially anticipated as opening next year, the long delay has led to fears for more than 400 expected construction-related jobs that were to flow from the building project - because the Stormont Executive hasn't released the relevant funding.

Work was supposed to begin in March, but the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is yet to release the final £10.8m it had promised the project.

Chairman of the management board, the PR expert, Jorris Minne, said a total of 420 jobs are "in limbo" because work is yet to begin on the £17m centre.

However, a DCAL statement said yesterday it was "committed to developing the arts infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) is one of a number of key projects.

"The department is keen to see work progressed on site as quickly as possible. It has been considering the business plan over recent weeks and will be in a position to advise the project promoters of its decision very shortly.

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"This is a major and complex project which will cost £17.56m in total and the department must be satisfied that tax payers get value for money before building begins," the statement said.

The Executive Culture Minister Nelson McCausland wasn't making any direct comment as he was said last night to be "unavailable for comment".

Originally, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the NIO Culture, Arts & Leisure Minister, David Hanson announced the proposed new £9.2m arts centre for Belfast in the Cathedral Quarter.

The Old Museum Arts Centre aims to take up a new home in the new facility, complete with a 350-seat theatre, a 150-seat studio, as well as purpose-built exhibition and workshop space.

At the time, in 2003, Roisín McDonough, then Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: "We have lobbied for some time now for a new flagship arts centre in Belfast, so we are delighted to be able to support the Old Museum Arts Centre as they create a purpose-built performing arts venue right at the heart of the city," she said.

The latest delay is on foot of other news of a larger scale project covering the whole area around the St Anne's Cathedral area.

In 2006, the North East Quarter of Belfast City Centre was boosted with news that it was to receive funding for a substantial retail-led regeneration in the area.

It was to include the new arts centre, which had been previously announced.

The then Social Development Minister David Hanson announced that a total of £300 million is to be pumped into the redevelopment of the city scheme.

Known as 'Royal Exchange' the similarly delayed scheme was envisaged to open in 2011, subject to obtaining planning permission and meeting all other statutory requirements.

See: Belfast City Centre to receive £300m cash boost

(BMcC/KMcA)