Finance Minister Sean Farren made the announcement in the assembly on Monday.

It is understood �3m will be spent on heart operations, with the remaining money being used for other operations.

The money has become available because other Stormont departments have been underspending their budgets.

Sean Farren: Announcement expected

However, a member of the assembly's health committee said the package would not solve the problems of the health service in the province.

Monica McWilliams welcomed the extra money, but said the assembly needed to look beyond waiting lists to improve the health service.

"It is not just a case of resources, it is a case of co-ordinating the different of parts of it," she said.

Target

"We have got to go out to the public and say we have done it, we managed to see where the hurdles were we have put resources where they are best spent.

"Then we can get these lists well down."

The only place in Northern Ireland where open heart surgery is performed is at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

For more than 10 years, the Department of Health has had a target that the Royal should carry out 1,100 operations a year to keep pace with patient demand.

The Royal has never managed to achieve that target and consequently a backlog of more than 600 patients needing surgery has built up.

All four health boards have been asking heart patients if they would be willing to travel out of Northern Ireland for surgery.

Block grant

Last year, 250 people went to Britain for treatment. Now, the executive has come up with a plan to send even more out of Northern Ireland.

In May, the government said an extra �2.7bn would be made available for the health service in Northern Ireland over the next five years.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget plans to increase spending on health throughout the UK would allow Northern Ireland to create a "world class health service fit for the 21st century".

It will make a huge difference to the morale of the individuals, greatly reduce their anxiety and be a great boost to their families

Andrew Dougal Chest Heart and Stroke Asscociation

He said the government had "done its bit" and it was now up to the Northern Ireland Executive to decide how the money allocated to the province through the block grant, would be spent.

Some people have to wait up to two years for heart surgery.

The chief executive of the Chest Heart and Stroke Asscociation, Andrew Dougal, said the new money would be vital.

"This is a great day for patients waiting for heart patients," he said.

"It will make a huge difference to the morale of the individuals, greatly reduce their anxiety and be a great boost to their families who have cause for worry during the waiting period.

"These funds will reduce by 300 the size of the waiting list.

"It will also make easier access for those heart patients unable to travel. It will speed up the whole process for all waiting for heart surgery."