Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir today clarified that no funding is at risk with regard to tackling paramilitary activity.
The Minister said: “The Fresh Start Agreement states that the Executive will provide £25million to tackle paramilitary activity and that the British government will match this funding with an additional £25million over five years.
“There is in reality no issue between the NIO and the Executive on this – despite claims to the contrary. It is agreed that the emphasis has to be on getting the plans right so that funding is used most effectively.
“While the Executive has not yet accessed the funding provided by the British Government, this funding is secure and it will be drawn down at the appropriate times, over the five year period, once plans are agreed. The funding is not tied to specific yearly profiles.
“The Executive has already allocated £1.3million in June Monitoring and a further £2.5million in October Monitoring from the money set aside by the Executive to tackle this issue.”