For many years the politicians have avoided the ‘bread and butter’ issues of Northern Ireland and focused on violence, policing and power-sharing. This, together with long-term under-investment, has left a legacy of a deteriorating infrastructure. The Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland sets out an investment of £16 billion over the next 10 years in more than 300 project to address the infrastructure deficit and promote economic growth.

EDUCATION

Recently a £3 billion investment in schools over the next 10 years was announced. Major projects include the upgrading of Belfast Schools and a number of new colleges. The preferred bidder, Ivywood Colleges Limited, was recently announced for the construction of the new BIFHE College at Titanic Quarter. BIFHE, which recently merged with another local college to form the Belfast Metropolitan College is the largest supplier of further and higher education in the UK. The Project is hoped to reach financial close this year with construction to complete in 2010.

TRANSPORT

In December 2000 the Northern Ireland Assembly funded Translink, a state owned company, to purchase 23 new trains which came into service in June 2005. February 2005 also saw the introduction of the new Metro system with new buses, routes and timetables. As a result passenger numbers have increased by over 30%. Over the next thirty years millions of pounds are to be invested annually in updating facilities and services. Proposals are also in place for the Belfast Rapid Transit which would service the new Titanic Quarter.

A further £1.4 billion is to be invested into the road network which should promote industry in Northern Ireland as currently 99% of freight is moved by road. Projects will include the improvement and extension of the existing Westlink, the widening of the M2 and the improvement of other major routeways.

ENERGY

The Single Electricity Market (SEM), which is due to become fully operational on 1 November 2007, is the first step in the establishment of an All-Island Energy Market. This is hoped to lower costs of electricity and improve the reliability of supply across the whole of Ireland.

Over the last number of years Airtricity has been expanding the number of windfarms right across Ireland. In Northern Ireland the Tappaghan Mountain windfarm was commissioned in February 2005 and now generates enough electric to power 12,000 house per year, saving approximately 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. At least 6 more windfarms are planned.

WATER AND WASTE

In an attempt to improve the quality of the drinking water of Northern Ireland and to comply with European directives a number of water projects are in the pipeline. Project Alpha, led by the Dalraida Water Consortium, recently reached financial close. This project will see the provision of new and improved bulk treated water supply schemes at five treatment centres. Project Omega which is also to close soon will provide four wastewater treatment facilities and two sludge recycling facilities. Other forthcoming projects include an £80 million investment into the water mains across the province and £100 million into the sewers of Belfast.

HEALTH

Over the next 10 years Northern Ireland’s Health Estate is to see an investment programme of £2.9 billion. There are five different level of projects; Local Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Local Hospitals, Acute Hospitals and Regional Centres of Excellence. Across the province projects have already been completed at all levels and include the new Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital and the extension of Altnagelvin Hospital.

COMMUNICATIONS

Northern Ireland’s communications infrastructure, with four fixed network service providers, is state-of the-art. In fact Northern Ireland is the first region in Europe to achieve 100 per cent broadband coverage.

Earlier this year BT announced the “21st Century Network” their newest communications system, which will see an investment of £260 million in Northern Ireland. The new network, will see internet access speed triple by 2010. It will also see 160 telephone exchanges reduced to three, with two in Belfast and one in Portadown.

ENTERTAINMENT

Titanic Quarter has been unveiled as “Europe’s largest and most exciting waterfront development”. The development, which will bring both employment and investment opportunities to Belfast, will provide accommodation for business, education, leisure, and residents. The £1 billion development, which is co-promoted by Titanic Quarter Limited and the Port of Belfast will be built on the site where RMS Titanic was built.

A competition has been launched for members of the public to suggest ideas for what should be contained with the new Giant’s Park, which is hoped to be funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks Programme.

Works have commenced at the site of the former Maze prison which closed in September 2000. Some of the original structures such as the prison hospital and one of the H-blocks are to be retained. The governments proposals for the site include a multisports stadium and an International Centre for Conflict Transformation.