Extra £200m funds for dissident fight
The Coalition Government has agreed to provide the PSNI with almost £200m in additional funding for the fight against dissident terrorists.
A formal request for the money was made by Justice Minister David Ford and Police Chief Constable Matt Baggott.
It was considered by the Treasury over the past few days and a package has now been confirmed.
It will consist of an extra £199.5m over four years to “enhance [the PSNI’s] ability to protect the people of Northern Ireland and to tackle the terrorist threat”, with a further £45m made available from the Executive for security.
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson described the move as “good news” for the police and the people of Northern Ireland.
“As a result of lengthy negotiations, which concluded today, Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has agreed to provide the money over the coming four-year Budget period,” Mr Wilson said.
“This will provide the PSNI with the opportunity to plan effective strategies on a long term basis against the security threat and will also help to protect front-line policing.”
Justice Minister David Ford said it will give the police service the resources needed to be “fully effective” in tackling the threat to peace.
“The Chief Constable and I have worked closely to ensure that the needs of Northern Ireland are recognised in London,” Mr Ford said.
“It is particularly significant that this funding provides four year certainty and demonstrates a long term intent to address the problems we face.
“We now have the resources available which the PSNI need if they are to be fully effective in tackling the threat to peace and stability in our community and to continue with their day to day policing responsibilities.”
The funding will be taken from the Treasury Reserve and will be delivered in sums of £57m, £53m, £62m and £27m for each year.
Under the terms of the devolution of policing and justice powers, which were agreed at Hillsborough Castle last year, the Assembly can access the reserve to meet “exceptional pressures arising from the security situation”.
It will come in addition to the £50.3m in extra funding which was made available for 2010/11.
Secretary of State for NI Owen Paterson said the government was “going beyond” the agreements made at Hillsborough.
“The Coalition Government has always made clear that we will protect the people of this country with all the means at our disposal,” Mr Paterson said.
“We are therefore honouring the agreement reached on the devolution of policing and justice and going beyond it. We are doing this despite the unprecedented pressures on the public finances.
“It demonstrates the commitment of the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to work together to reduce the threat from those who mistakenly believe they can pursue their aims by violence and by dragging Northern Ireland back to the past.”
Chairman of the Policing Board Brian Rea said: “The Chief Constable made a very strong case for these monies and it is welcome news that Government have now confirmed that the additional bid will be made available.
A joint statement from the DUP’s team on the board added: “The dissident threat has prevailed over the past 12 months, and despite a number of police successes in arresting those involved in terrorism, the security funding is vital in continuing efforts to keep the community safe.”
The SDLP’s Dominic Bradley said it will allow the PSNI to “deal effectively with the security threat without drawing on resources needed for other important policing operations”.
Basil McCrea from the Ulster Unionist Party called the provision “most welcome … at a time of budgetary constraint”.
