£129m investment in transforming public services an important first step, says Tennyson

Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA has said the allocation of £129m in Transformation Programme funding is an important first step on the road towards delivering better public services.

Eóin Tennyson Finance

He was speaking after the Finance Minister confirmed six successful projects would benefit from the funding, following assessment by the Public Service Transformation Board. 
The Upper Bann MLA said: “Alliance has consistently made the case for investment in transformation to deliver the high-quality and sustainable public services people deserve and expect. 
“Prior to restoration of the Assembly, Alliance worked with others to make the case to Treasury that a financial package would be required to support stabilisation and transformation of our health, education and other public services. 
“Today’s announcement is a welcome outworking of those discussions, with £61m being made available to improve primary care and tackle health inequalities, £27.5m to enhance support for children with special educational needs, and £21m to speed up our justice system. 
“Whilst this is an important first step, the Finance Minister should move to place the Public Sector Transformation Board on a permanent footing, and allocate the remaining £102.5m available for investment as soon as possible.“