A new £270m PFI hospital in Enniskillen has been signed-off and construction will begin shortly, following months of difficulties in getting funding finalised. Problems had been caused when HSBC withdrew.. read more
Just 7% of participants in a Northern Ireland New Deal programme went on to sustained employment, a report from the NI Audit Office reveals. The Preparation for Employment.. read more
Northern Ireland health minister Michael McGimpsey has announced that free personal care is currently unaffordable, but remains a commitment. He blamed other ministers for rejecting his request in the.. read more
The number of government departments and Assembly members in Northern Ireland could be cut as part of an efficiency review announced this week. Reducing the 11 departments and 108 MLAs.. read more
Northern Ireland’s Land and Property Services agency is to be reviewed, following widespread criticisms of the agency’s performance. It has been blamed by councils for a budget crisis which.. read more
It all looked so good – a Celtic Tiger that repeatedly delivered annual growth of 9%. The Scottish Nationalists even talked of an ‘arc of prosperity’ that drew together Ireland,.. read more
Northern Ireland’s largest PFI scheme has been abandoned because of the downturn in the economy. The Department of Finance and Personnel confirmed it is cancelling the Workplace 2010 programme.. read more
The banks have been pulling out of the Private Finance Initiative and the contractors are struggling. As a scheme designed to transfer public sector risk becomes a growing liability, frantic.. read more
Domestic rates set by Northern Ireland’s district councils are to rise by an average of 5% in 2009/10. The highest rate increase is 8.52%, agreed by Fermanagh council. Two district.. read more
The revamped structure of health and social services delivery has been revealed by Northern Ireland health minister Michael McGimpsey. A new Health and Social Care Board will replace.. read more
While all around fear for their jobs, the government is promising a major programme of public works to counter the effects of recession. But dig deeper, and the public sector.. read more
Poor planning by Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance and Personnel delayed three major projects within the civil service reform programme, leading to extra costs, an interim report from the.. read more
