Minister coments on NI Construction Bulletin

Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, has highlighted the continuing public sector investment in the construction industry in Northern Ireland and its vital importance to the local economy.

He was speaking following the release of the latest Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin which showed that, whilst the value of construction industry output was down 1.8% on the previous quarter, infrastructure investment continued to reach record levels.

The Minister said: “Over the past year, the construction industry in Northern Ireland has faced many challenges as areas such as private house building have suffered a noticeable decline in output.

“The Executive is very aware of the impact this is having on local construction firms and their suppliers, many of whom are Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.

“With this downturn in private sector investment, the growth in Executive spend has become even more important for local firms. Last year, for example, we invested almost £1million a day extra in capital projects.

“This money is helping many local construction firms through the current downturn whilst investing in our local infrastructure and economic future.

“In my role as Finance Minister I will continue to ensure that Government Departments continue the effective roll-out of the Executive’s Investment Strategy to help local firms through these difficult times.

The Minister concluded: “It is important that all sectors of the construction industry have maximum visibility of forthcoming construction procurement opportunities. I have asked the Central Procurement Directorate to work with all Government construction clients, and their Centres of Procurement Expertise, to provide this visibility and to ensure that projects are brought to the market place at the earliest opportunity."

Notes to Editors:

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