AQW 18507/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/05/2021
Answered On Date: 21/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in relation to the stop-start nature of the ports infrastructure build, whether further costs have been incurred in addition to the £50.4 million already allocated.

Answer:

On 2 April 2021 an instruction was issued to the appointed contract teams to move to a controlled stop for an initial period of six weeks which was extended for a further three weeks on 6 May 2021. The controlled stop was initiated to allow officials to complete work associated with workforce planning, finalising the client brief and achieving the necessary approvals associated with spends in this financial year. The controlled stop triggered a compensation event however DAERA has not received any compensation claim to date.

Full costs associated with the stop and any delay will be clear following further scoping work and discussions with contractors. Further clarity will also be provided when compensation claims are received and any adjudication process completed.

Any additional costs incurred in relation to these works will be captured in the development of the Full Business Case.