4. Incongruously, the Department has a large capital works budget that it has had difficulties spending because of delays on the part of the Department of Public Works (DPW). The situation is exacerbated by spiralling construction and material costs as a result of these delays. In light of these difficulties, the Committee has, in the past, advocated a better balance in funding priorities, questioning the emphasis on funding new infrastructure at the expense of maintaining that which already exists.