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NI division 'costs £1.5bn a year' NI division 'costs £1.5bn a year'
(about 1 hour later)
Division and conflict in Northern Ireland cost the taxpayer an extra £1.5bn every year, according to a report commissioned by the government.Division and conflict in Northern Ireland cost the taxpayer an extra £1.5bn every year, according to a report commissioned by the government.
The report estimated the cost of policing and security as well as the provision of separate housing and schools for Catholics and Protestants.The report estimated the cost of policing and security as well as the provision of separate housing and schools for Catholics and Protestants.
The Deloitte report found segregated housing has increased costs by £24m.The Deloitte report found segregated housing has increased costs by £24m.
It said greater collaboration between schools could lead to savings of between £16m and nearly £80m.It said greater collaboration between schools could lead to savings of between £16m and nearly £80m.
The report's authors acknowledge that it is difficult to disentangle the costs of public services, to isolate those areas in which social division and conflict has led to extra cost.The report's authors acknowledge that it is difficult to disentangle the costs of public services, to isolate those areas in which social division and conflict has led to extra cost.
They have opted for a broad approach, which not only takes in the provision of separate housing and schools but also includes costs such as policing riots, inquiring into past events and compensating people for terrorism-related injuries.They have opted for a broad approach, which not only takes in the provision of separate housing and schools but also includes costs such as policing riots, inquiring into past events and compensating people for terrorism-related injuries.
School bus
An example cited by the report is the extra school bus runs provided for Protestant and Catholic pupils.An example cited by the report is the extra school bus runs provided for Protestant and Catholic pupils.
It cites the practice of bussing children from the Short Strand by a circuitous route via the Ormeau Road, in order to avoid the Lower Ravenhill area. It cites the practice of bussing Catholic children from the Short Strand by a circuitous route via the Ormeau Road, in order to avoid the mainly loyalist Lower Ravenhill area.
The report has been welcomed by the Alliance Party which described the sums involved as "staggering".The report has been welcomed by the Alliance Party which described the sums involved as "staggering".
However, it was criticised by Sinn Fein, which said it was part of "a calculated attempt to dilute the equality agenda".However, it was criticised by Sinn Fein, which said it was part of "a calculated attempt to dilute the equality agenda".
The Ulster Unionists said lumping together security costs with those of segregated public services was misleading.The Ulster Unionists said lumping together security costs with those of segregated public services was misleading.