To ask the Minister for Infrastructure how he is addressing the challenges of ageing infrastructure, such as bridges and public buildings, to ensure safety and functionality for the public.

My Department has well established processes that apply to the design, construction, inspection and maintenance of infrastructure assets, such as bridges, to enable public safety risks to be managed. Staff in my Department are working hard to deliver these however their ability to do so is dependent on the resource allocated to my Department. You are aware that Departments have been operating in a difficult financial environment for a number of years due to underfunding and austerity by the British Government. As the value of our infrastructure cannot be overstated, I will continue to work with Executive colleagues to secure appropriate budgets so that the risk to the public is managed.