\n<\/p>\n
The LGF consists of almost \u00a312m in day-to-day spending and \u00a327.4m for infrastructure or capital projects.<\/p>\n
That \u00a327.4m is being spent via Stormont departments, with the biggest allocation of \u00a313m going to the Department for the Economy.<\/p>\n
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said it would be used for projects that target innovation, business start-ups and social enterprises.<\/p>\n
That includes \u00a37.1m for Invest NI to help businesses with innovation projects and to undertake early-stage design work for its Mandeville industrial estate in Craigavon.<\/p>\n
Other allocations include:<\/p>\n
\u00a37m to the Department for Communities for projects including town centre renewal and regenerating vacant properties<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\u00a33.8m to the Department of Agriculture to support innovation and sustainability in agriculture<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\u00a33.2m to the Department for Infrastructure for investment in transport and connectivity improvements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Finance Minister John O’Dowd said the money would deliver “tangible benefits” but that “the entire handling by the British government on this fund put us in a position which was far from ideal”.<\/p>\n
He said he would continue to argue that in future “priorities should be determined by locally elected ministers, not Westminster”.<\/p>\n
East Londonderry assembly member Claire Sugden said while the capital investment was welcome, it did not replace the funding community organisations have lost.<\/p>\n
“Resource funding pays the staff who support vulnerable people, run employability programmes, tackle isolation and help families through difficult circumstances,” she said. <\/p>\n
“Without it, services may be reduced, experienced staff could be lost and people will have fewer places to turn for help.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n