Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, and am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on the issue of public private partnerships. I have experience of such schemes with regard to a school in my constituency. This project, which had its critics initially, was part of a European-wide competition for a company to build five schools. The successful company was Jarvis and it built one school in County Sligo, two in County Cork, one in County Monaghan and another in Shannon. I serve on the board of the school in County Sligo. The Department of Education and Science purchased a site and the school was then constructed by Jarvis.

This school is a fine complex, consisting of 35 classrooms as well as auxiliary offices, teacher accommodation, all-weather pitches and so on. The building work was completed in 15 months and within budget, a phenomenal achievement in any business. With departmental funding, the school has been fitted out to the highest standard by Jarvis. It is a wonderful facility, involving the amalgamation of two very old schools, Banada Abbey and the Marist Convent in Tubbercurry. As a member of the school board, I occasionally meet some of the 540 students and they are delighted with the facilities and the quality of education they are receiving.

The contract for this project states that Jarvis is fully responsible for the maintenance of the school for 25 years. At the end of that period, the school will be handed back to the Department of Education and Science. As Senator O'Toole observed, there is no risk to the State in such schemes. The principal of the school has told me that major problems are dealt with within 24 hours, while less significant problems, such as heating or some other issue which affects the holding of classes in a particular room, are handled within two hours. The back-up service is fantastic. If a classroom is not available for teaching, a reduction is made in the payment to the company at the end of the month. The principal previously served in the same post in a school with a large student body in County Mayo, where he claims two thirds of his time was spent trying to locate people to service or repair various facilities. Now, his time is dedicated entirely to the educational needs of the students and teachers for whom he is responsible.

I cannot say enough in favour of public private partnerships in the context of my experience with this school. Furthermore, the school complex is available to the local community in the evenings and at weekends. Some local functions, such as musical shows, have been held in the school and, by 9 a.m. the next morning, it is ready for occupation by the teachers and students. This is a fantastic achievement. Although the Comptroller and Auditor General has not been complimentary regarding public partnerships, my experience indicates that perhaps he did not give such schemes enough time before evaluating them. I believe he did not consider issues such as maintenance, of which there is little required when a school is new. After five or ten years, however, a school of 540 pupils will require significant maintenance. A scheme such as this represents value for money in the long term.

I agree with Senator O'Toole that roads represent a separate issue. Unlike a school, the value of which will probably depreciate, the value of a road or toll bridge will appreciate. One must factor in the finance from such facilities, particularly when one is considering a period of ten or 15 years. We all received letters from the Irish Road Haulage Association which indicated the significant amount of money to be paid to operators which provided the Eastlink Bridge and other similar facilities. It is a staggering figure and, although there are significant costs involved in providing that bridge, this is an issue, which may need to be examined. I have no doubt the Government will learn from its experience with Jarvis in the provision of those five schools. Everybody has lessons to learn, particularly in politics.

I agree with Senator O'Toole when he spoke about the significant number of projects under way, such as small national schools in certain areas. Since our experience in Sligo, a number of builders have approached me to inquire about the possibility of a similar approach being taken regarding smaller schools. We need to consider such possibilities and move in this direction because it represents value for money in the long term. The work is usually done very quickly and there is no cost to the State in terms of maintenance. My experience of a public private partnership was a successful one and it has been of significant benefit to Sligo.