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Delayed web plan tool over-budget Delayed web plan tool over-budget
(10 minutes later)
A new online Northern Ireland planning service is three years overdue and over-budget by more than £7m. A new online Northern Ireland planning application system is three years overdue and over-budget by £7m.
The Department of the Environment announced the e-PIC service in 2004 and said it would make the application process more open and transparent.The Department of the Environment announced the e-PIC service in 2004 and said it would make the application process more open and transparent.
Meant to be operational in 2006, its £5.5m budget has now risen to £12.7m.Meant to be operational in 2006, its £5.5m budget has now risen to £12.7m.
The DoE said the main reason for the delay and overspend was the "very sophisticated nature" of the system's programming.The DoE said the main reason for the delay and overspend was the "very sophisticated nature" of the system's programming.
"When complete the system will enable people to make planning applications online and also to track the progress of their application online," the Department said."When complete the system will enable people to make planning applications online and also to track the progress of their application online," the Department said.
"The early phases of the system have already rolled out and are proving very successful. It is anticipated to roll out the entire system by summer 2010.""The early phases of the system have already rolled out and are proving very successful. It is anticipated to roll out the entire system by summer 2010."
Alliance member of the Environment committee David Ford said it seemed to be like many other delayed IT projects in the public sector.Alliance member of the Environment committee David Ford said it seemed to be like many other delayed IT projects in the public sector.
"What it does looks good - the problem is it doesn't do half of what it's supposed to do and it's cost twice as much as it should have cost."What it does looks good - the problem is it doesn't do half of what it's supposed to do and it's cost twice as much as it should have cost.
"It's not anything like the value for money that was promised."It's not anything like the value for money that was promised.
"This will have to be investigated by the Audit Office and by the Public Accounts Committee when it's completed.""This will have to be investigated by the Audit Office and by the Public Accounts Committee when it's completed."