Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

In terms of the specifications laid down, if a builder has an obligation to maintain the school over the next 25 years, it is clear that he or she will have a much higher stake in the project and that will be reflected in the long term.

No Senator referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General's point that over the 25 year cycle, the value of PPPs would have to be compared with the other more conventional methods. Most Senators would refer to local experience in this regard and Senator McHugh gave a full rundown on the educational deficits in Donegal. In my local area, Birr community school, which has been in place less than 20 years, now requires a new roof. If that project had been a PPP it would not require such a massive expenditure. I have no doubt as regards the issue of value for money over 25 years, nor do I doubt that some of the extra costs, red tape and bureaucracy that deter people from becoming involved are inhibiting the process.

Given the experience gleaned from the pilot project, I believe we can put PPPs to better use. The success of PPPs based on the roads projects in Ireland has been internationally acclaimed. While these projects have been rolled out on a massive scale, the task now is to apply the lessons we have learned to ensure continued use of PPPs in the most effective way going forward with a view to getting the value for money required.