Debate contribution: Job Creation and Cross-border Cooperation in the North-west
Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on .
- MLA
- Ms Aisling Reilly
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 4 March 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Opposition Business
- Heading
- Job Creation and Cross-border Cooperation in the North-west
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4833321
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm a bheith ábalta labhairt thar ceann an Aire ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo.
The motion references the benefits of dual market access. Minister Archibald sends her apologies as she is in Berlin, in part to raise awareness among companies in Germany and the EU more broadly of that unique status. Invest NI has established a dedicated unit to capitalise on that opportunity, to support our indigenous businesses to grow their exports and to attract FDI opportunities. There are indications that local exporters are already benefiting. In 2023, our manufacturing exports to the EU increased by 17%. For Wales, the figure was 0%, while England experienced a decrease of 4%, and Scotland saw a decrease of 17%. That trend continued in 2024. Minister Archibald continues to deliver the economic vision set out by her predecessor, Minister Murphy. His vision statement identified regional balance as one of four priorities and specifically referred to the north-west as an area with "huge potential for growth." The motion references the need for various partners to come together to drive economic development in the region. A local economic partnership is being set up for that purpose. It will identify the key economic priorities for Derry and Strabane, which will undoubtedly include asks of Departments and the Irish Government. For example, a long-standing ask of the Department for the Economy has been that more be invested in City of Derry Airport. The airport plays a vital role by providing the north-west with connectivity to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world through its London Heathrow route. The Department for the Economy aims to assume responsibility for airport policy and, subsequently, from 1 April 2025, the provision of funding to Derry City and Strabane District Council for the future sustainability of City of Derry Airport. That will lift the burden from local ratepayers and enable the council to reinvest about £3 million in funding initiatives to support regional balance. Membership of the partnership is primarily a matter for the council, but I expect cross-border links to be recognised and the organisations mentioned in the motion to be considered. Although the motion refers to skills, it does not specifically mention the Magee expansion, which will be a key driver of economic development in Derry and the broader north-west region. A comprehensive plan to achieve 10,000 students by 2032 has been published, and, last week, Minister Archibald announced that the land needed for those 10,000 students had been acquired. The Department for the Economy also supports a number of cross-border skills projects through the PEACE PLUS skills development investment programme. Those projects involve as prominent partners Ulster University, North West Regional College, Atlantic Technological University and the Donegal Education and Training Board. Other important initiatives that are not mentioned in the motion are the city and growth deal projects. Those will invest £293 million in key sectors such as tourism, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, life and health sciences and clean energy. In addition, the Inclusive Future Fund will see a further investment of £110 million, with £55 million coming from the British Government and £55 million in match funding from the Executive. As a result of those and many other developments, a powerful value proposition is emerging in the north-west. The motion reflects many of the positive developments that are already under way, and I hope that we can continue to work together to realise the economic potential of the region.
584 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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