& Key Risks

Delivery Challenges

In delivering the NTA’s comprehensive programme of work over the coming years, some key delivery challenges have been identified, including those outlined below:

Funding Constraints Over the coming years, Government have ambitious plans to significantly enhance active travel infrastructure and public transport services across the State, as well as reducing carbon emissions from the public transport fleet. However, as there are also many competing demands on Government funding, the NTA anticipates constraints in some areas including the funding of necessary staff, which may slow delivery. The NTA strongly believes that a multi-annual funding envelope for PSO transport services is required, with clear links established between infrastructural investment and the ensuing current expenditure implications for operation and maintenance in future years.

Labour Shortages In delivering major transport projects, the NTA anticipates that the pressure to attract and retain skilled workers will intensify, especially for specialist skills which can be in short supply worldwide. Increasing competition from other sectors for construction personnel may further constrain capacity, requiring coordinated efforts across government, unions, and other key stakeholders to help ensure sustainable staffing levels. The NTA will require a timely assessment and where applicable, approval from Government for requests to sanction additional staff for an increasing programme of work and expansion of functions. In the operation of transport services, persistent labour shortages are anticipated, particularly in the recruitment of bus drivers and vehicle mechanics, impacting service delivery.

Planning Approvals Major projects are complex and timeconsuming to advance through the planning process, often encountering unanticipated issues. After receiving planning approval, judicial reviews and appeals can frequently stall projects for extended periods or ultimately result in the planning approval being overturned. Given how closely transport delivery depends on timely, predictable planning decisions, the NTA welcomes recent progress across the planning system.

Compliance Requirements The NTA’s activities are subject to extensive compliance requirements including the Infrastructure Guidelines, the EU public procurement directives and Climate Action Plan 2025. Whilst such policies and measures help ensure that high standards are maintained, they require significant rigour and can be time intensive, slowing delivery. For example, effective procurement processes can be complex and timeconsuming but are critical to maintain competitive tension and in turn ensure that value for money is achieved.

Key Risks

In undertaking its functions, the NTA identified key risk areas as set out below, which received careful consideration during the preparation of this Statement of Strategy. The NTA operates a robust risk management framework to manage and mitigate these key risks.

• Insufficient funding for projects and services.

• Major transport service failure.

• Critical IT system failure.

• Major safety failure on transport system.

• Insufficient organisational capability or capacity to deliver projects effectively.

• Delivery of organisational strategy disrupted negatively by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• Inability to effectively manage project delivery costs.

• Failure to achieve climate action and sustainability objectives.

• Significant governance or internal control failure.

• Major customer resistance to delivered infrastructure or services.

• Cyber-attacks increasing in frequency and complexity.

• Shortages of staff with necessary skills.