The additional money comes on the back of rising lottery ticket sales across the UK.

The Big Lottery Fund's new Northern Ireland Chair Frank Hewitt hailed the increased investment at the launch of a new lottery-backed sports facilities at De La Salle College in west Belfast.

"This is fantastic news for communities across Northern Ireland and I am delighted to be able to make this announcement as part of my first public engagement as NI chair," he said.

"This investment of up to £150 million will make a major difference to many people across Northern Ireland, particularly in the current economic climate.

"A rise in lottery ticket sales and revised financial forecasting has led to the increase in funding and we are now analysing the findings of our major public consultation into future programmes to identify the best ways to invest the funding."

Mr Hewitt, a former chief executive of the NI Chamber of Commerce, took up the post of Big Lottery Fund NI chair in December following Breidge's Gadd's retirement.

De la Salle College secured £509,519 from the Big Lottery Fund's PE and Sport programme to extend a four-court sports hall to a six-court community sports hall at the new school.

Principal Paul Barry said the sports facilities are being used by pupils and the wider community seven days a week.

He said: "The new facilities have encouraged more pupils to take part in physical activity and we have been delighted with the response we have received from local community groups."