Money will be available for Ilex but we can’t say how much: McGuinness

The Draft Programme - which sets the ambitious target of creating 25k jobs and getting 114k off the dole province-wide by 2015 - does make reference to the ‘One Plan’ for Londonderry which in turn projects 12,900 new jobs for this city by 2020. Significantly the document itself features a photograph of the Ilex-delivered Peace Bridge on its front cover.

SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood asked the Minister if he could say what specific resources the Draft Programme for Government - which is out for public consultation until February 22 next year - have been allocated for delivery of the ‘One Plan,’ UK City of culture 2013 and Magee’s expansion plans.

Mr McGuinness said that the renewal of Londonderry in line with the ‘One Plan’ mission statement represented a huge challenge and that Ilex’s regeneration sites in the city would be key in achieving it.

He also mentioned the £23m in capital investment already allocated to Ilex for the Ebrington site over the 2011-2015 Budget Period.

“We also want to ensure that we bring back to use the key development sites at Ebrington and Fort George, pump-priming Ebrington to attract private investment totalling £23 million infrastructure investment over the three years completed. Hopefully, the next phase of that will be open to the public before the end of this year,” he said.

The Minister said he was confident money would be made available as the plans developed.

“We have had discussions at the Executive and between ourselves, and there is no doubt that, as the roll-out begins, the financial commitment will be there from the Executive to ensure the success of not just the ‘One Plan’ but the City of Culture.

“It is very hard to put a figure on it at this stage, as it is still a work in progress and Departments are still dealing with some of the bids that have come in. However, as time rolls on over the next number of weeks and the process goes out for consultation, it will become apparent before too long what the financial commitment will need to be in terms of support from the Executive to the ‘One Plan’ objectives and to the success of the City of Culture,” he said.

He spoke of the importance of the plan in condensing the “1,000 visions of what the north-west would look like” into one cohesive plan.

“It was vital to ensure that everybody involved in the process was involved in a way that unified them and meant that they had one vision for the future. That is clearly there in the One Plan. It represents a huge challenge not only for people in Derry but for the Executive and all Departments,” he commented.

The Minister also described the UK City of Culture 2013 as a pivotal year for Londonderry.

“It is hugely important that people recognise that there is a very real opportunity there, particularly given the City of Culture achievement and the good implications that all that will have for the city in 2013. I see that as a period of lift-off for the city, and, as we go forward, it is important that all our Departments at Executive level recognise their duties and responsibilities in ensuring the success and implementation of the One Plan,” he said.