Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to New Decade, New Approach agreement, published on 8 January 2020, how much funding the Government has allocated to address the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland referred to in Annexe A of that agreement; how much of that funding has been allocated; to which priorities that funding has been allocated; how much of that funding remains to be allocated; and to which priorities that remaining funding will be allocated.

The New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal provided the restored Executive with a £2bn financial package. This included £140m to be allocated to address Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

To enable the Executive to begin implementing the Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland agreed with the Treasury that the Executive will be able to access £100m NDNA funding earmarked for Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

£40 million is reserved for addressing the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland referred to in Annexe A, page 53 of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. This funding is to be deployed on areas including:

• Mental health
• Tackling paramilitarism
• Tackling deprivation and improving opportunity
• A Culture and Community fund
• Support in marking the 2021 centenary and related projects
• Support for languages and broadcasting
• Supporting the armed forces and veterans
• A fund to promote the competitiveness of Northern Ireland’s economy
• Additional funding to support the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre
• UK Contribution to the International Fund For Ireland

The UK Government has committed £3m to support the marking of the 2021 Centenary and related projects. In addition, in 2020/21 the UK Government released funding to support the NI Veterans’ Support Office and the setting up of a new NI Veterans’ Commissioner role. The remaining funding will be disbursed in due course to the priorities listed above.

The UK Government is continuing to work closely with Northern Ireland’s political leaders through the Joint Board to deliver on NDNA commitments.