Debate contribution: Regional Imbalance

Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on 6 October 2025.

MLA

Dr Caoimhe Archibald

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

6 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Regional Imbalance

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5157293

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I welcome the opportunity to speak about this important issue. The geographical imbalances in our economy have deep roots, as Members have said. Historical patterns of underinvestment tend to become self-reinforcing, as investment is drawn towards areas that are already economically strong. Overturning that legacy requires political commitment and determined action over time. This is the first time that my party has controlled the Economy Department, and we have brought a new strategic focus on regional balance. It is one of our four key objectives. In October last year, my Department published its subregional economic plan. The plan committed to the creation of 11 local economic partnerships to identify the main barriers to economic development and the interventions needed to unlock it. Those partnerships have all been established, and they are now developing their action plans. As far as I am aware, a number have already signed off on their draft plans, including Causeway Coast and Glens, Maurice. Departments will be asked to work with the partnerships to deliver those plans. My Department has also established a £45 million regional balance fund to help partnerships with delivery that has been profiled over the three years. The subregional economic plan also set a regional balance target for Invest NI for the first time. The target is to increase the number of investments outside the Belfast metropolitan area from 56% to 65% over three years. Having hit 59% in year 1 of the strategy, Invest NI is on course to achieve that ambitious target. The lack of land is a major barrier to regional balance. Invest NI is therefore implementing a new regional property programme. While infrastructure challenges exist, key projects have been identified, including a new business park at Desertcreat that aims to promote green growth and address the shortage of industrial land in mid-Ulster. The north-west has a particularly high level of unrealised economic potential and is therefore a particular area of focus for my Department and Invest NI. The most significant project is the Magee expansion. That is a huge undertaking, involving investment in infrastructure, teaching facilities, new courses, new staff, marketing initiatives and student accommodation. The task force was established to bring together business, the university, students and the community sector in a citywide effort. To date, all the land needed to reach the 10,000 students target has been acquired. Since the Magee task force was established, my Department, in partnership with Ulster University, has committed almost £21·5 million of capital funding, which is more than in the previous 10 years. Student enrolments at Magee have increased by 44% since 2021, and the university is confident that the number of students will reach 6,300 this year. As people see that progress being made, those who previously doubted now believe in the project and are giving their support to it. That momentum will be invaluable in reaching 10,000 students by 2032. In addition, £3 million of annual funding from my Department has helped to secure important routes for City of Derry Airport, and FinTrU, Seagate, EY and Alchemy Technologies have announced significant investments in the area. With the support of Invest NI, however, we have seen investments across the North. To bolster our creative sector, we have developed Studio Ulster to support further investment in the future of film, animation, immersive installation and gaming. Studio Ulster receives £25 million of investment through the Belfast region city deal, which demonstrates our strong commitment to creating high-value, high-paying jobs. In Newry, McGuinness Mechanical Engineering is investing over £3 million to double its workforce. That will enable it to grow its maintenance division and increase sales in the South. In Dungannon, Mackle Snacks invested over £6 million to expand its factory, enhance automation, boost productivity and create more good jobs. That was the first investment to be supported by Invest NI's new agri-food investment initiative. In Omagh, almost £3 million of investment by Lagan Energy will grow its team by 30 roles over the next few years as it continues to expand its footprint in the global renewables sector. In Kilrea, Hutchinson Engineering has invested almost £12 million in new equipment that will further boost its productivity and support growth. In Ballymena, Invest NI has supported CIGA healthcare to secure almost £3 million in international contracts. The investments in Belfast, Newry, Dungannon, Omagh, Kilrea, Ballymena and Derry help to deliver well-paid, highly skilled jobs in every town, city and rural community. As Economy Minister, I will build on that positive momentum, because everyone, no matter where they live, should have an opportunity to build a life here at home for them and their family. My focus on supporting our tourism sector is also key to achieving regional balance. Of all employment in our tourism industry, 70% is based outside Belfast. The tourism vision and action plan, which was co-designed by my Department in partnership with the industry, is being implemented. As part of that plan, my Department is working with Fáilte Ireland to ensure that the North can benefit from its all-island regional brands. Significant investment has already been made to support the joining of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coastal route. That will help to bring more tourists to our amazing coastline. My Department's officials are also working closely with their counterparts in Fáilte Ireland on Ireland's Hidden Heartlands to bring together the Shannon-Erne waterway and allow the Fermanagh region to benefit from that popular tourism route. The legacy of underinvestment will not be fully addressed overnight, but my Department and I have put a credible plan in place to promote regional balance, and progress is being made. That work will continue, because everyone should share the benefits of prosperity.

958 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:26 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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