Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

Like the previous speakers, I welcome Senator Kate Walsh and Jody Blake back to work.

As part of the debate on the involvement of public private partnerships in the construction of certain schools, I wish to state that I have served on the governing body of such a school in Tubbercurry, County Sligo. The developers, Jarvis, acquired the land and built the school on time and within budget. Jarvis could not have been more helpful to the board of the school, which has 800 students following the amalgamation of three existing schools. The facilities which have been put in place for the children who attend the school are absolutely unbelievable. They are made available to the public and the community at weekends and other times, as required.

I do not know how the Comptroller and Auditor General can say at this time that the project is over budget by 13% because the schools are leased for 25 years before being handed back to the Government. Jarvis is still responsible for the costs of maintenance and everything concerned with the running of the school. As the school was finished just two years ago, it is very early to say it is over budget. All Senators are aware that more work needs to be done as the years go by.