16. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the safeguards that are now in place to ensure large-scale public infrastructure contracts are completed on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/25]

Sentiment score: 0.21

I thank the Minister for taking this question. What safeguards are in place to ensure our large infrastructural projects come in on time and on budget? As we are about to embark on an ambitious national development plan review involving significant capital funding, it is timely that we set out the safeguards in place to reassure the public that we are managing the situation as effectively as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.62

I recognise significant work has been done in this area. We are about to embark on the national development plan. The current plan involves €165 billion and there will be additionality on that, which is very welcome. We will be spending significant money on water infrastructure, energy, transport, health, housing and more. It is important we rebuild public trust in our management of large-scale capital projects. Unfortunately, we have seen too many examples - the national children's hospital, the Dublin Port tunnel, the national broadband plan and so on - of significant overruns. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has commented on this. I welcome the work of the Minister and his Department. It is critical we have robust processes in place to ensure proper cost analysis and forecasting, rigorous risk assessment and a sound legal basis for contracts, so we reduce the risk of budget overruns and projects not coming in on time and so we can rebuild public trust, which is badly needed.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I accept the Minister's point on balancing the process. We cannot become too risk averse. I fully understand that. Delivery of large-scale infrastructural projects is critical but we have seen examples of large-scale projects that were 100% over budget. It is critical we do not repeat that. I sit on the Committee of Public Accounts and listened to the national children's hospital development board speak of the number of claims lodged, the lengthy dispute process involved and the uncertainty as to when many of these claims will be concluded. That is just one example. It is critical we strike the right balance and have a robust system in place to ensure projects can be delivered in a reasonable timeframe and with proper risk assessment. I understand the challenge with large-scale projects. They go on over a long period. We face international uncertainty and have faced inflationary conditions in recent years. I thank the Minister and Department for the work they have done. We have the opportunity to rebuild public trust and ensure we can deliver. The Arklow wastewater treatment plant is an example of a large project being delivered on time and within budget, so we can do it.

Sentiment score: 0.03