Local public urged to help shape multi-year budget

FINANCE Minister, John O’Dowd, is encouraging the public to help shape the future of public services by sharing their views and ideas on his draft budget 2026-2029/30.

Launching a consultation on the proposed 2026-2029/30 budget, Minister O’Dowd said: “A multi-year budget provides the opportunity to give departments the certainty they need for long-term planning and create the conditions to drive transformational change.

“Setting a multi-year budget is one of the biggest decisions we will take during this Assembly mandate.

“I want to hear the views and ideas of workers, families, businesses and communities. Your input will be vital in shaping the public services that matter most to you.

“Any spending increase in one area will inevitably mean a reduction in another. I want everyone to get involved and have their say.

"If you believe additional funding should be allocated to a particular area, please share your ideas including suggestions where that funding should be reallocated from.

"It is important that proposed ideas and solutions are put forward. I have made the same request to my Ministerial colleagues.”

Highlighting the financial challenges, Minister O’Dowd added: “There is no doubt the ongoing under investment in public services by the British Government means that both the Resource and Capital DEL funding position remain extremely constrained.

"Our public services are facing increased demand and increased pressures with increased costs to deliver the services people rely on.

“In this context it is simply not possible to provide any department with the funding it has requested.”

The multi-year budget would provide departments with day-to-day spending allocations over the next three years (2026-2029).

Minister O’Dowd added: “I am proposing providing almost £26 billion to support our health service, including £495 million dedicated to cutting health waiting lists.

“Almost £10 billion would be provided for education.

“My proposals would also see the PSNI Workforce Recovery costs of £133.3 million met in full and increased funding towards ending violence against women and girls.”

Commenting on the proposed capital allocations over the four years (2026-2030), the Minister added: “I believe this draft budget focuses capital investment towards our Programme for Government commitments.

“Over £4 billion is proposed for infrastructure projects including funding for the A5, A6 and Belfast Transport Hub which are vital to driving economic growth and enhancing connectivity.

“I am proposing £441.7 million for the building of new social homes with £433.7 million for water infrastructure to unlock capacity and enable the construction of more new homes.

“To better support our children and young people with Special Educational Needs, I am proposing £24 million specifically for the SEN schools’ estate."

The Minister concluded: “With demand for public services outpacing the funding available, continuing to do as we have always done is not an option.

"The need for transformation and consideration of different ways of delivering could not be clearer.

“Delivering our Programme for Government priorities will require the Executive collectively, and individual Ministers, to take challenging decisions to prioritise the available funding to deliver the desired outcomes.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in the consultation and help us to work together to develop a multi-year budget that makes the best possible use of the resources available. Have your say and help shape the future.”

The consultation will run until March 3, 2026.

To respond visit:

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/consultations/

draft-budget-2026-202930.