•  To stimulate investment and economic activity, public realm schemes will be taken forward in five deprived areas of Belfast, eleven regional towns, and eleven areas in Derry~Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane. Schemes in Antrim, Carrickfergus, Newtownards, Newry, Lurgan (phase 2) and Lisburn are all scheduled to start before 31 March 2012.

•  The regeneration of key strategic sites such as MLK, Ebrington Barracks and Fort George in Derry~Londonderry, and the Crumlin Road Gaol will continue to act as drivers for economic and social regeneration.

•  The Social and Affordable Housing Development, Decent Homes, Warm Homes and Disabled Adaptations programmes, as well as ongoing investment in improving social housing stock will continue to be delivered, sheltering and supporting those who are in the most need.

•  Investment will be made to complete important projects already underway including the 50 metre pool, the Metropolitan Arts Centre and a number of projects in sport, museums and arts.

•  Significant investment to address regional stadiums needs will be progressed subject to the necessary approvals. In addition support will be provided to sports initiatives that give rise to increased participation at a community level and target under-represented groups.

•  Funding will also be provided to meet some pressing statutory, health and safety and essential maintenance requirements in different sectors.

Looking ahead to the second phase of the ISNI, beyond the budget period, it is aimed to accelerate deferred investment in key sectors and projects which make significant contributions to the key pillars of the Programme for Government. Subject to funding, this would include major investment in:

•  Museums - at both the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh and at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra and continuous improvement at the Ulster Museum, with the potential to generate substantial growth in tourism and income.

•  Sport - in stadium safety to ensure the viability of sports grounds and safety of the public and in further community based programmes to contribute to improved health and preventative health interventions.

•  Arts - in maintaining and improving the arts infrastructure to improve wellbeing, access to learning opportunities and cultural activities for local people and tourists.

•  Inland Waterways and Fisheries - in the inland waterways, canals and fisheries network and infrastructure to contribute to increased tourism and community wellbeing.