First Minister and deputy First Minister publish Programme for Government Annual Report 2025-26

Date published: 27 May 2026

The visits to Kids Korner and On Track Technicians marked the publication of the Programme for Government Annual Report 2025-2026, which sets out progress delivered across the Executive’s priorities over the past year.

The report highlights reductions in the longest hospital waiting times, increased investment in childcare and early years services, support for skills and job creation. It also outlines action to deliver more housing, continued work to tackle violence against women and girls and work to improve wellbeing through a joined-up approach across government and communities.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: 

“The Programme for Government Annual Report shows real progress over the past year, and today’s visits brought that to life in a very practical way. At Kids Korner, we saw how the Executive’s £55 million investment in childcare and early years provision is helping families access more affordable childcare and giving children the best possible start in life.

“At On Track Technicians, it was clear how investment in skills is supporting people into good-quality jobs and helping the company to grow and compete, with more than 17,000 people across the north benefiting from skills programmes over the past year. The report also highlights wider delivery, including over 237,000 additional health procedures to help reduce waiting times, alongside continued investment in housing and vital public services.

“This is about turning investment into real outcomes for people, and while there is more to do, we are focused on building on that progress.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: 

“We have been clear from the outset that the focus of our Programme for Government is delivery. We are tackling the big issues to improve people’s lives, and this report demonstrates the progress made to date.

“We are committed to delivering an Early Learning and Childcare Strategy that gives children the best start in life while supporting more affordable childcare. Our visit to Kids Korner highlighted just how important this is for families and communities.

“We are also focused on growing a globally competitive and sustainable economy. At On Track Technicians in Lisburn, we saw how innovation and a clear growth strategy are delivering real economic benefits.

“Our Programme for Government is about taking action people can see and feel. While there is more to do, I am confident that by working together we can deliver what matters most and build strong foundations for future progress.”

Key highlights from the Annual Report include:

• £135million invested to treat additional health patients, delivering more than 237,000 extra outpatient, diagnostic and inpatient procedures.
• Significant reductions in the longest health waiting times, including endoscopy, outpatient and inpatient care.
• £55million invested in childcare and early years provision, with over 2,500 full‑time pre‑school places now available.
• £129million allocated to public sector transformation projects across health, special educational needs, justice and infrastructure.
• More than £20million invested through the Skills Fund, supporting around 17,000 people to upskill or reskill and over 1,100 employers.
• Over 5,300 additional properties enabled to connect to the wastewater infrastructure, supporting housing and economic growth.
• Continued delivery of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan, supported by more than £5million in local and regional funding.

The Programme for Government Annual Report 2025–26 is available online at: www.northernireland.gov.uk/publications/programme-government-annual-report-2025-2026