AQW 50852/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 13/11/2015
Answered On Date: 03/12/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Social Investment Fund.

Answer:

Currently the Social Investment Fund (SIF) has committed to projects with associated costs of around £58 million profiled over a number of years to reflect project requirements.

Good progress is being made across the nine SIF zones. For example 10 revenue projects have service delivery organisations appointed and six of these are now operational with active participants. The remaining four are engaged in early planning with a view to formally commencing shortly. These projects are aimed at supporting employment and early intervention with one focused on social enterprise. They are expected to bring real benefits to communities and to have them at this advanced stage demonstrates real progress.

SIF capital projects are also progressing well. One, the Coleraine Rural and Urban Network Hub, has been operational since September and two others, the Bryson Street Surgery and Best of the East in the Belfast East zone are expected to be operational before the end of March 2016. A further fifteen capital projects have commenced and are either at the stage of design or in the process of procuring a design team. Four of these are at a more advanced stage and are expected to appoint contractors and commence construction works shortly. Fermanagh House in the Western Zone, has now formally commenced construction and the build is due to complete over the next year with a view to being operational in early 2017.

SIF’s remaining £22 million is allocated to projects still in the approvals process. Officials are working to expedite these as quickly as possible subject to affordability.