Northern Ireland is to get a new cancer treatment unit as part of a £270 million spending plan, announced today.
The money for the infrastructure package comes from the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative announced in May by British prime minister Mr Tony Blair and chancellor Mr Gordon Brown.
First Minister Mr David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan outlined details of 29 projects which will be funded over the next two years by the plan.
Mr Trimble told the Northern Ireland Assembly: "£270 million is being committed by the Executive in today's announcement in an unprecedented package which will create a significant acceleration of major investment in our infrastructure."
Confirming that the cancer centre at the City Hospital in Belfast - which has been under consideration for several years - would go ahead, he said it would enable the health service to combat one of the major causes of death in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Health will be the major benefactor, with £110 million going into a range of projects including essential improvements to a number of the North's hospitals.
The state of the roads and water and sewerage systems will also be addressed, with £67 million given to the Department of Regional Development.
Education will receive £52.8 million, which will include £23 million for improvements to six grammar and secondary schools.
PA