South Antrim MP Robin Swann with Fleur Anderson MP of the Northern Ireland Office
South Antrim MP Robin Swann held a constructive meeting this week with Fleur Anderson MP of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), focusing on the progress of the £235 million Transformation Fund.
The fund, established as part of the agreement to restore the Stormont Executive, has faced delays in its rollout, prompting Mr Swann to seek further clarity and updates.
The meeting came after Mr Swann raised several questions about the fund’s slow implementation. Minister Anderson, acknowledging the South Antrim MP’s concerns, offered the discussion to address these issues.
While approximately half of the fund has been distributed to Executive departments for projects deemed “transformational,” around £100 million remains unallocated, fuelling frustration over the pace of delivery.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Swann emphasised the critical role the Transformation Fund could play in addressing pressing challenges across Northern Ireland’s public services.
“Northern Ireland’s public services are in clear need of transformation - and that’s what makes this fund so important,” he said.
“I thank the Minister for offering to meet with me on this topic, and I found our conversation to be productive. This Fund, if allocated towards true transformation, and at a reasonable timescale, does have the potential to help address some of the biggest pressures facing the likes of our schools, health service, regional infrastructure, and justice system.”
Mr Swann welcomed Minister Anderson’s collaborative approach, adding, “The Minister’s willingness to work closely with me on this issue is appreciated, and I will continue to feed into the process on behalf of the people of South Antrim and Northern Ireland.”
The Transformation Fund remains a key element of the Stormont restoration deal, with its full allocation eagerly awaited by those hoping to see tangible improvements across the region’s strained public sectors.