FUNDING for the Mid South West Growth Deal has been reinstated, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has confirmed. 

The commitment was made following the Labour's budget, with Chancellor Reeves providing funding settlements for devolved governments including Northern Ireland. 

The funding is worth £252 million and was previously put on hold while the government conducted a spending review. 

Chancellor Reeves told the House of Commons: “To support growth, including in our rural areas, we will proceed with city and growth deals in Northern Ireland – in Causeway Coast and Glens, and Mid South West. 

“This Budget provides the devolved governments with the largest real-terms funding settlement since devolution, delivering an additional £3.4 billion for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula, funding which must now be spent effectively to improve public services in Scotland.”

Turning to Barnett consequential for Stormont and Cardiff Bay, the Chancellor said: “This budget also provides £1.7 billion to the Welsh Government and £1.5 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive in 2025-26.”

It is hoped that funding from the Growth Deal will enable the progression of a number of key projects in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area, including the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass, the Cuilcagh Lakelands Landscape project and the redevelopment of the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre. 

It had also been hoped to fund projects to facilitate the industrial decarbonisation of the local area and enable local companies to move away from the use of fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives.

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA, Diana Armstrong welcomed the reinstating of the funding. 

"Fantastic news that the Growth deals for Northern Ireland have been reinstated", Mrs. Armstrong said. 

"I'm particularly happy that the Mid South West Growth Deal is back on track. This deal will be a catalyst for jobs, innovation and economic growth for our region.
Mid South West represents £252 million of investment in our region. 

"The UUP has been committed to getting this deal reinstated. Councillor McClaughry and Councillor Wilson in particular played a crucial role in highlighting the need for this deal in their respective roles. 

"I look forward to seeing the benefits of this investment."

DUP MLA, Deborah Erskine said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Mid South West Growth will go ahead, following the Chancellor’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon. The DUP fought for this deal and Causeway Coast and Glens after the Government announced a pause a number of weeks ago.

"Since the pause was first announced I fought for our area, working alongside our Council. I would not accept that our Council area would be left behind. The investment set for our area of £242million is the largest amount of funding outside of Belfast.

"This is huge money amount of money for our areas and will have a massive benefits in terms of our economy. Whilst it was good other areas were able to proceed it meant our council areas and that of Causeway Coast and Glens were the only areas in NI not to receive funding.

"I pay tribute to the Council for their work in lobbying for this money at Westminster and through the Assembly."

Sinn Féin MLA, Jemma Dolan, also welcomed the reinstating of funding. 

"I welcome today’s decision by the British government to continue with funding for the Mid South West Growth Deal.

“This funding will drive investment, create more jobs, boost tourism and strengthen our local economy. 

“It is essential that communities across the north benefit from investment and that prosperity is equally shared, promoting regional balance."