The Executive has agreed on a budget for the 2025/26 financial year following a public consultation period.
The Department of Health will receive the most funding with £8.8bn, followed by the Department of Education which will get £3.6bn.
Minister of Finance John O’Dowd told MLAs that the agreed budget “shows this Executive’s determination to work together to deliver.”
“It provides funding to cut waiting lists, deliver affordable childcare, support Special Educational Needs, invest in skills, make our communities safer, funds actions towards ending violence against women and girls, provide more social housing, protect Lough Neagh and for public sector transformation,” he said.
Posting on X, First Minister Michelle O’Neill highlighted the £215 million to cut health waiting lists.
“No one should ever have to suffer the pain and uncertainty of waiting long periods for treatment. Despite ongoing cuts from the British government, we will continue to do everything we can to invest in our health service and ensure you and your loved ones get the care you need, when you need it,” she said.
Today, the Executive is investing £215 million to cut health waiting lists and ensure people receive treatment when needed.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) April 3, 2025
No one should ever have to suffer the pain and uncertainty of waiting long periods for treatment.
Despite ongoing cuts from the British government, we… pic.twitter.com/GwD3xc4jjx
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she is “really pleased that the Executive unanimously agreed a budget at yesterday’s Executive meeting.”
“This budget will prioritise supporting driving down health waiting lists, confirm the doubling of funding available for the childcare interventions and move forward our PFG priorities. This is an Executive that is determined to deliver. The financial context is challenging, with much more needed to invest in our public services. Despite this, we will be doing all we can to move things forward,” she added.
I'm really pleased that the Executive unanimously agreed a budget at yesterday's Executive meeting.
— Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) April 4, 2025
This budget will prioritise supporting driving down health waiting lists, confirm the doubling of funding available for the childcare interventions and move forward our PFG… pic.twitter.com/tmPXmpH994
