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<p>Earlier this year, in recognition of the unique circumstances in Northern Ireland,
the UK Government made clear that it was prepared to make available additional financial
support following the confidence and supply agreement between the Conservative Party
and the Democratic Unionist Party.</p><p> </p><p>That agreement made clear our desire
to see the money decided upon and spent by a restored Executive for the benefit of
all in Northern Ireland. In the meantime, though, we acknowledge that Northern Ireland’s
unique circumstances cannot simply be ignored, especially given the pressures that
we have seen in the continued absence of an Executive.</p><p> </p><p>That is why I
announced during the Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Budget Bill on 13 November
our commitment to make available £50m from the Confidence and Supply Agreement for
addressing immediate health and education pressures in the 2017/18 financial year.
If the Northern Ireland administration confirm that they would access this in 2017/18,
that funding would form part of the Supplementary Estimates process in the New Year
and be subject to the full authorisation of the House of Commons.</p><p />
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