To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, given that the majority of the £124.5 million funding for the Belfast Rapid Transport Phase 2 project is currently unsecured, to detail any steps her Department is taking to bridge the shortfall.

On 25 February 2025 I was pleased to announce the next steps for the Belfast Rapid Transit 2 project which will see implementation of this innovative service across the North and South of the city.

Whilst a significant funding shortfall remains to deliver the full scheme, the funding envelope of £35m from our Belfast Region City Deal partners along with £13m, which I have committed from my Department’s budget

Delivering the full BRT2 programme will require the additional funding to be allocated for future years. I will continue to engage with Executive colleagues on my funding requirements and remain committed to delivering this project in full subject to the outcome of future budget settlements. When the scheme progresses updates will be provided as appropriate.