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420 jobs 'delayed' at arts centre 420 jobs 'delayed' at arts centre
(about 8 hours later)
More than 400 construction jobs are being delayed at Belfast's new arts centre because the Executive hasn't released the relevant funding.More than 400 construction jobs are being delayed at Belfast's new arts centre because the Executive hasn't released the relevant funding.
This is according to the board of the new multi-million pound centre.This is according to the board of the new multi-million pound centre.
Work was supposed to begin in March, but the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure is yet to release the final £10.8m it had promised the project.Work was supposed to begin in March, but the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure is yet to release the final £10.8m it had promised the project.
Chairman Jorris Minne said a total of 420 jobs are "in limbo" because work is yet to begin on the £17m centre.Chairman Jorris Minne said a total of 420 jobs are "in limbo" because work is yet to begin on the £17m centre.
He has written to the Stormont finance committee expressing his concern.He has written to the Stormont finance committee expressing his concern.
"At the time of writing the letter to the MLAs we were very concerned that a deadline had already been missed," said Jorris Minne."At the time of writing the letter to the MLAs we were very concerned that a deadline had already been missed," said Jorris Minne.
"Since that letter has been sent, I think a lot of progress has been made - the departments are talking to each other, there's good joined-up government happening and the new deadline which has been fixed for 25 September looks imminently achievable."Since that letter has been sent, I think a lot of progress has been made - the departments are talking to each other, there's good joined-up government happening and the new deadline which has been fixed for 25 September looks imminently achievable.
"If we don't meet the 25 September deadline we have to look at having to renegotiate contracts, possibly even going to tender again, which would mean probably waiting another year. This would mean 420 construction jobs having to wait until then.""If we don't meet the 25 September deadline we have to look at having to renegotiate contracts, possibly even going to tender again, which would mean probably waiting another year. This would mean 420 construction jobs having to wait until then."
'Committed''Committed'
Culture Minister Nelson McCausland was unavailable for comment.Culture Minister Nelson McCausland was unavailable for comment.
However, in a statement his department said it was "committed to developing the arts infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) is one of a number of key projects.However, in a statement his department said it was "committed to developing the arts infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) is one of a number of key projects.
"The department is keen to see work progressed on site as quickly as possible. It has been considering the business plan over recent weeks and will be in a position to advise the project promoters of its decision very shortly."The department is keen to see work progressed on site as quickly as possible. It has been considering the business plan over recent weeks and will be in a position to advise the project promoters of its decision very shortly.
"This is a major and complex project which will cost £17.56m in total and the department must be satisfied that tax payers get value for money before building begins.""This is a major and complex project which will cost £17.56m in total and the department must be satisfied that tax payers get value for money before building begins."
Last week the Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors said that while some parts of the UK construction industry received a boost from recent public sector investment in recent months, this was not evident in Northern Ireland.Last week the Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors said that while some parts of the UK construction industry received a boost from recent public sector investment in recent months, this was not evident in Northern Ireland.
The institution predicted further redundancies in the construction sector in the months ahead.The institution predicted further redundancies in the construction sector in the months ahead.