A senior Stormont official has confirmed that Ryanair will be offered a £67 million subsidy to establish an engine maintenance facility in Northern Ireland, a project that could create up to 600 jobs.

Ian Snowden, the top official in the Department for the Economy, told MLAs that the proposed facility would be the biggest inward investment for two decades. Northern Ireland is competing with Spain and Poland for the site, with Ryanair planning to bring engine maintenance in-house at two locations from 2029.

The subsidy package comprises £30 million from the NI Enhanced Investment Zone, £10 million from the Department for the Economy, and £27 million from the UK government. Snowden said the £27 million contribution is still under discussion and that the executive would backstop that amount.

The NI Enhanced Investment Zone is a UK government-funded initiative designed to boost investment and productivity in manufacturing.