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Delayed web plan tool over-budget | Delayed web plan tool over-budget |
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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." |