Wilson slams critics of the Executive

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has attacked those who have criticised the performance of the Executive.

He was speaking on the day he outlined the performance of Government Departments over the past financial year to the Assembly.

The Minister attacked those who had questioned the performance of the Executive and said: "The past financial year has been incredibly difficult for the Northern Ireland economy. The depth of the recession has provided challenges for many sections of our society.

"Despite this, and despite those ‘armchair experts’ who sit on the sidelines and criticise, the Executive has delivered real improvements to people’s lives over the past year.

"Since last April:

• 14 major school building projects have been completed – with a further two projects likely to complete soon;
• Funding of almost £203million was made available to our two universities to cover teaching, learning and research;
• A new technology and skills centre opened at the South West College and new facilities are under construction at the Belfast Metropolitan College.
• In the Health Service, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service took receipt of 66 new ambulances;
• Construction work has begun on the new South West Hospital in Enniskillen and new Health and Wellbeing Centres in West Belfast;
• A new Dementia Services Development Centre and the Knockbreda Health and Care Centre has opened in Belfast whilst the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick opened in May;
• A £17million contract has been awarded to provide additional dentists in access 'hotspots' across Northern Ireland.
• 1,268 farm businesses have received letters of offer in relation to the first tranche of the Farm Modernisation Programme, whilst farmers have benefitted through funding of £300million under the Common Agricultural Policy;
• £2.1billion pounds of social security benefits and income support was made available to support people across Northern Ireland;
• 1,750 social and over 500 affordable houses were built, leaving us on track to deliver 10,000 social and affordable homes by 2013 and, in so doing, helping us support the construction industry during challenging times."

The Minister also highlighted improvements to roads in 2009-10, including the M2 improvement scheme, the new flyover junction on the A1 Newry Bypass and the recent award of the contract for the A8 Belfast to Larne project.

Mr Wilson concluded: "The past year has been difficult, with an ever-tightening fiscal situation and the continuing economic problems that have gripped our country. Yet, as a local administration, we have been able to respond to local needs in 2009-10 and we will continue to do that in the future.

“Those critics who find it easy to highlight the apparent failings of the Executive are contributing nothing to improving the lives of local people. By delivering better services to everyone in Northern Ireland, the Executive is clearly making a difference."

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