AQW 5920/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 27/07/2020
Answered On Date: 10/08/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for her assessment of the likely impact on capital project (i) costs; and (ii) timescales as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer:

The Department’s capital projects are on track to spend their current 2020/21 allocations. No significant additional costs have been incorporated into contracts in relation to COVID 19 as contractors and suppliers adapt working practices to continue delivery of existing projects.

Some projects have been delayed however others as a result have been accelerated to ensure spending the full capital budget available in-year.

The longer term impact of new working practices are not fully understood yet however I do not anticipate any significant additional costs or time delays arising this financial year that would result in lost opportunities.