18 Oct The Cost Effective Delivery of Essential Infrastructure

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2011

This report follows on from the earlier joint report by the Academy and Engineers Ireland on “Infrastructure for an island population of 8 million people” published in February 2010.  The report is framed within the context of the current serious economic and social environment on the island of Ireland.
Two serious problems confront Ireland and Northern Ireland concerning investment infrastructure:
– Lack of available capital
– Requirement for sustained investment in critical infrastructure to permit essential economic growth and the maintenance of international competitiveness
The report recognises that the current reduction in construction prices presents an opportunity to secure significant reductions in the non-construction costs of projects.  By streamlining processes and procedures for land acquisition, planning, public procurement, institutional arrangements, training, skills, funding and financing mechanisms and through synergies between projects in Ireland and Northern Ireland, major cost reductions can be achieved.