Video: Four digital and innovation projects submitted to Department of the Economy by Derry City and Strabane Council still await sign-off

The projects have been submitted to her department by Derry City and Strabane District Council and are now awaiting approval.

Foyle MLA Karen Mullan asked the minister when she would approve the projects that are “currently on her desk” during ministerial questions at Stormont this week.

The minister promised that she would act on the cases as soon as she could.

Mrs. Dodds said: “Those issues are working their way through the system.

“When they come to me in the fullness of time, we will look at them in the round.”

But Ms. Mullan said the cases were “important projects for Derry, Strabane and the wider North West.”

“In keeping with the commitments to target resources on the basis of objective need and to tackle regional disparities laid out in both the Programme for Government and ‘New Decade, New Approach’, I urge the Minister to give a time frame for a decision on the proposals,” she said.

The former DUP MEP insisted that she was committed to facilitating the economic development of the Derry area.

“It is clear to anyone who has read my recent comments that I am committed to building an economy across Northern Ireland for all of its communities.

“That includes the north-west, the south-west and all parts of Northern Ireland. It is important that I state that again today.

“We will progress the issues that she raises in as timely a manner as we can,” she declared.