Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has detailed further measures that he has agreed with the Procurement Board to ensure maximum support for Northern Ireland's construction industry.

Given the financial importance of procurement policy, both in terms of total spend and in relation to the Executive’s budget, the Procurement Board has responsibility for the development, dissemination and co-ordination of public procurement policy and practice for the Northern Ireland public sector. The Board is responsible to the Executive and accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Mr Wilson said: "The Executive and the Procurement Board are totally committed in providing the necessary support to the construction industry to ensure that maximum benefit can be obtained for the high levels of capital spend already approved by the Executive.

"Over the four years of the Executive’s budget we will have a capital spend on public sector contracts of £5billion. Currently government accounts for over 64% of all expenditure on construction projects with latest figures showing 96% of construction contracts going to local firms.

"The Executive acknowledge that times are extremely tough for the construction sector. We recognise the importance of paying public sector contracts on time with central government departments paying 97% of invoices within 30 days and 89% within 10 days."

(CD/GK)