Northern Ireland to get £2bn for infrastructure improvements

Northern Ireland is gearing itself up for a steady increase in construction work after £2bn was made available for infrastructure improvements over the next five years.

The funds, which form part of a new Strategic Investment Programme under the Northern Ireland Executive's Reform Initiative, forms part of the region's revised Budget up to 2008.

Seen as a move towards eroding the £6bn in infrastructure deficit across Northern Ireland, the funds include £725m to spent on Public Private Partnerships. The exact allocation of construction work has not yet been determined.

However schools, which have been regarded by finance minister Ian Pearson as outmoded and outdated, will see a capital cash injection of £90m, while the crumbling roads infrastructure will receive £73m in capital funds. Office accommodations have also taken a £149m slice for improvements.