IT project delays cost Northern Ireland millions

Northern Ireland’s public sector IT projects are dragging on for years, forcing legacy contracts to be extended by an average of eight years. A new Audit Office report reveals that delays are costing taxpayers hundreds of millions while exposing critical services to cyber risks and operational failures. Poor planning, unclear outcomes, and lack of skilled staff are at the heart of these failures. Some contracts, like the Department of Finance’s LPS Nova programme, have been extended by 17 years. 

The report urges a strategic, cross-sector approach to replace ageing systems before they become liabilities, warning that continued delays undermine efficiency, service performance, and public trust.

Read the full article to explore the Audit Office’s recommendations.