Written answers

Thursday, 27 April 2023

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Capital Expenditure Programme

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 20 April 2023, if he can confirm that he is unable to provide an indicative timeframe for the completion of the review of the capital works management framework which commenced in March 2019; if his Department required additional resources and staff in order to deliver this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20077/23]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) encapsulates all aspects of public works delivery from inception through to completion and review. It does this by means of a comprehensive suite of guidance, including best practice project management, cost control, design development as well as providing a suite of template tender documents and contracts. It was developed in 2007 in response to the prevailing challenges at that time and points contracting authorities to clear delivery pathways in a complex technical and commercial environment that is highly regulated.

The nature of public works delivery is changing in response to reducing the environmental impact of construction, developing more efficient methods of delivery such as off-site construction and the adoption of digital project delivery processes which enable both. An agile approach to the review of the CWMF has therefore been adopted based on work streams that have been developed in consultation with stakeholders aimed at addressing these aspects as well as the issues that are impacting project delivery.

This approach enables focused engagement with a range of stakeholders in a structured fashion. The intention is that once recommendations are developed that these can be implemented to progressively refine core elements of the CWMF. This approach is preferred over one that seeks to complete a comprehensive report which may not reflect market conditions once the implementation phase commences.

Some of the measures already introduced in 2022 and so far this year are delivering on key work streams listed in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 209 including a) price variation and b) liability, indemnity and insurance. The response also included an overview of the various other work streams that are currently being progressed as part of the review of the CWMF, where they currently stand and their timelines to completion.

The review involves engagement at different levels with contracting authorities and industry, it also requires input from a range of technical perspectives, cost management experts and specialist lawyers in the development of solutions. Coupled with that it must consider new and innovative measures to streamline processes and develop tools that will enable the better management of projects as well as improved quality and environmental outcomes.

It is certainly the case that the disruption caused by the pandemic and its aftermath diverted resources to developing responses to the exceptional events that have arisen since February 2020 where the focus shifted to developing the co-operation frameworks to address the shutdowns, the changes imposed on working conditions as a result of social distancing and, most recently, the exceptional levels of inflation. The OGP not only developed these solutions but provided extensive support to contracting authorities in operating the measures throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022. It should be noted that much of the research and groundwork already undertaken since the review commenced has enabled an agile and swift response to safeguard the assets being developed as part of the NDP.

Throughout 2023 measures to address the carbon footprint of public works projects and the adoption of Building Information Modelling will be announced that will have far reaching implications for project delivery. There are a range of supports and dependencies that are external to the OGP that are under development to enable industry to respond to these new demands and the OGP is working with bodies such as the Irish Green Building Council and the Build Digital Project on these initiatives. Consultation and engagement with public bodies and industry is a key aspect of the successful implementation of these new approaches.

It is also recognised that specialist resources will be required on the part of contracting authorities and industry in adapting to these new requirements as well as for the OGP in co-ordinating and supporting the adoption.

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