Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Finance – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:45 pm on 16 September 2024.
Caoimhe Archibald
Sinn Féin
2:45,
16 September 2024
I agree with the Member's assessment of the Shared Prosperity Fund: it was not designed with the North in mind and certainly did not take on board the criticism or feedback that was provided on its structure, one of the most important aspects of which was that there was no section 75 consideration in the delivery of funds. We have continuously made the representation that there needs to be a more joined-up approach. We have consistently said that we should have control of the delivery of the funding streams, because we could then align them with our priorities and ensure that they fit with other Executive priorities and that we do not duplicate funding streams. We have made and I will continue to make that point. As I mentioned to Connie, I will meet the Minister responsible tomorrow.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
