Ulster Unionist Culture Spokesperson, Michael McGimpsey, has criticised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) following an Audit Office Report which reveals a significant overspend on key projects in Belfast.
The South Belfast MLA said;
‘Whilst I support these projects this is a clear example of a profligate approach to managing a departmental budget and points to a Minister who was asleep at the wheel. The fact that these projects resulted in spending which was £24.8 million, or 31%, more than the £78.6 million estimated in the original business cases is extremely concerning in this day and age.’
‘It is an unacceptable state of affairs that this extra funding will have had to come from other Departments such as Health and Education. I would call on the current Minister, Caral Ni Cuillin, to learn the lessons from this report and particularly to ensure that the £110 million stadia development is delivered on time and on budget.”