PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
Overarching Aim
Our over-arching aim is to build a peaceful, fair and prosperous society in Northern Ireland, with respect for the rule of law and where everyone can enjoy a better quality of life now and in years to come.
Five key priorities:
- To grow a dynamic innovative economy
- To promote tolerance, inclusion, health and well being
- To protect and enhance our environment and natural resources
- To invest to build our infrastructure
- To deliver modern high quality and efficient public services.
Growing a dynamic innovative economy
- halving the private sector productivity gap with the UK average (excluding the Greater South East) by 2015
- increase the employment rate from 70% to 75% by 2020
- 45 new businesses and 600 existing companies to become exporters for the first time by 2011
- inward investment commitments promising over 6500 new jobs by 2011, at least 75% of these providing salaries above the local private sector average
- increase the number of tourists visiting Northern Ireland from 1.98m to 2.5m and to increase tourism revenue from £370m to £520m each year by 2011
- widespread access for businesses to a next generation Broadband network by 2011
- 70% of school leavers will achieve 5 or more GCSE passes at grades A* to C by 2011
- increase by 90,000 the number of adult learners achieving a qualification in literacy, numeracy and ICT skills by 2015
- increase by 25% the numbers of students, especially those from disadvantaged communities, at graduate and postgraduate level studying STEM subjects by 2015
- increase by 300 the number of PhD research students at local universities by 2010
- introduce a new programme to increase the commercialisation of university and college research by 2010
- invest £45m to improve the competitiveness of the rural sector by 2013.
Promoting tolerance, inclusion and health and well-being
- reduce child poverty by 50% by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020
- 30% of school leavers entitled to free school meals obtain 5 or more GCSE passes at grades A* to C level by 2011
- increase to 125,000 the number of children and young people participating in sport and physical recreation by 2011
- reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured on our roads by 50% by 2012
- extension of free public transport for everyone aged 60 and over during 2008
- invest over £500m in regenerating disadvantaged communities, neighbourhoods, towns and cities by 2012
- introduce in 2008 a new Employment and Support Allowance to enable those unemployed due to ill health or disability to return to work
- a careers advice service to meet the needs of disabled people by 2010
- reduce mortality from bowel cancer by 15% in 2013
- introduce a screening programme to improve survival rates from bowel cancer by 2009
- help people with chronic illnesses live more active lives and reduce unplanned hospital admissions for such patients by 50% by 2013.
Protect and enhance our environment and natural resources
- a fundamental overhaul of the planning system by 2011
- halt the loss of indigenous species and habitats by 2015
- declaring 200 new Areas of Special Scientific Interest by 2016
- deliver a new sewer system for central Belfast by 2010
- reducing our carbon footprint by 25% by 2025
- ensure that 12% of our electricity is generated from indigenous renewable sources by 2012
- enable up to 4700 farmers to comply with the Nitrates Directive by 2009.
Invest to build our infrastructure
- See Investment Strategy below
Deliver modern high quality and efficient public services
- review the overall number of government departments by 2011
- modernise the structure and powers of local government by 2011
- take forward key reform programmes in areas such as water, planning, health and education
- establish a Library Authority and Education and Skills Authority by 2009
- modernise the infrastructure and processes of the Civil Service
- reduce by 25% the administrative burden on farmers and agri-food businesses by 2013
- a single telephone number contact point for public services by 2009
- streamline 70% of Government department and agency websites by 2009.
Investment Strategy
- investing £5.6bn in our infrastructure over the next three years
- total of at least £18bn over the next 10 years
- £4bn more than the total value the Investment Strategy published in 2005 under Direct Rule
by 2018 intend to invest:
£3.1bn in our strategic road network and public transport
- key transport corridors will be upgraded connecting our towns and cities to regional gateway, the Belfast Metropolitan area and the Southern road network
- begin the development of a modern rapid transport system in the Greater Belfast area
- improve rail services with new better services and new rolling stock.
£1.4bn in our water and waste water and waste management infrastructure
- will invest in a high quality waste and wastewater system capable of EU requirements
- in partnership with district councils deliver a new waste management infrastructure by 2011
£3.5bn in schools and youth services, with a further £632m for further education and libraries
- take forward major works at over 100 schools between 2008 and 2011.
- universities will be supported to increase their research and teaching capability
- Further education colleges will be modernised, with a new campus for Belfast Metropolitan College and new accommodation at the North West Regional College to open by 2010.
£3.5bn in health and social care
- develop a regional network of primary and community care facilities to bring services to the heart of the community
- an acute hospital network that can deliver the best health outcomes
- local hospitals that form a crucial bridge between acute hospitals and primary and community care.
£1.4bn in social and affordable housing along with over £600m for regeneration and £500m for Culture, Arts and Sport.
- up to 10,000 new social housing completions over the next five years.
- invest in the Ilex Regeneration Plan for Ebrington and Fort George, and in Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood site.
- invest £100m in our sports facilities by 2011, ensuring a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games
- supporting inland waterways.
