The EAP will be utilised for major infrastructure proposals, (those estimated to cost in excess of €100 million).
As part of the National Development Plan (NDP) Review, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) committed to strengthening the scrutiny of major public investment proposals. International evidence suggests that the single most effective guard against major project failure is the incorporation of an independent external review prior to project commencement.
Public investment proposals over €100m require Government approval at key decision gates in line with the Public Spending Code. The current process involves assurance by the funding Department, and a DPER scrutiny and challenge role through business case technical reviews. While this has proven useful, the ability to robustly challenge on substantive delivery issues such as scrutiny of costings, feasibility of delivery plans, and appropriateness of procurement strategies, needs to be strengthened.
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Minister McGrath said: "The public have a very strong desire for realistic and timely delivery of major capital projects and I want to ensure these expectations are met. I am acutely aware of the pitfalls that have arisen in the past which have delayed projects or given rise to additional costs and I am taking immediate actions to address weaknesses in the process. In particular we need a strong challenge function at key stages in the process to ensure risks are identified and fully addressed.
"The panel of external experts will add to the depth of knowledge within my own Department in delivering complex, multi-year major capital projects. The pandemic has shown us that harnessing additional skill sets leads to better results overall for the public and I am determined that we bring new thinking to bear in how we meet the very obvious infrastructure needs we have as a country."
