Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

DIF is targeting all six buildings to be operational by the beginning of the coming school year. We will work with the schools to ensure that, if this target is not being fulfilled, contingency plans are in place. We do not control the issuing of tenders and so on but, under the contract, DIF is standing this out of its money. Other than a small sum of €4 million in respect of site clearance, it has not received any money from this contract. The financial arrangements are such that DIF does not get any payment until the schools are handed over. In that context, the costs are not changed and our commitment remains as it was. Any cost implication is borne by the contractor involved - DIF - if the contracts come in at a different tender price than it intended.

As to selecting PPPs, we ensure that there is a balanced mix. PPPs have been used for a small proportion of our plan rather than a large one. It is prudent that there be a mixed and balanced portfolio of construction approaches.

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