Construction jobs on the line in Northern Ireland

The board of a new multi-million pound arts centre in Belfast is blaming the Northern Irish executive for holding up funds and construction jobs.

Jorris Minne, chairman of the centre has claimed that over 400 jobs are being delayed because of a lack of funds.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has not yet released the £10.8 million it had promised to the capital's project, the BBC has reported.

A letter has been written to the Stormont finance committee by Mr Minne, expressing his concern over the issue.

"Since that letter has been sent, I think a lot of progress has been made - the departments are talking to each other," he said.

"The new deadline, which has been fixed for September 25th, looks imminently achievable."

Mr Minne added that if there were any further date changes contracts would have to be renegotiated, meaning the construction jobs may have to wait for a year.