To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of his Department's ICT projects were over budget at the latest date for which information is available; and by how much each was over budget at that time. (325536)

The Causeway Programme is a key element in the continuing modernisation and reform of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. At its inception, total costs were estimated at £42.7 million. The most recent estimate is that total costs through to the end of the contract in 2013 will be £61.6 million. The increased costs have arisen in three main areas:

Adaptation of criminal justice line of business systems to link in with Causeway - £7 million

PPP contract changes - £8 million

Programme development and office costs - £4 million

The rate of return on the investment is, however, expected to be broadly similar to the original estimate.