My Department does not, in general, directly build or commission infrastructure projects. Rather, the Department’s capital allocations support a range of schemes that focus on the delivery of community based projects, with the relevant projects delivered by local authorities or other bodies. It is the responsibility of the delivery body to manage the contract for an infrastructure project, including conducting any such tendering processes. It is a requirement of our funding schemes that public procurement guidelines are followed. Any procurement of capital projects undertaken directly by my Department has been completed by staff within the Department with no additional costs incurred.