Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There was also the question of whether they would be done by public private partnership, leasing or developing by the State.

The public private partnership model has been used here successfully, although I admit there is need for some oversight in this regard to ensure we are getting value for the taxpayer. I have no objection to the leveraging of private funding for projects we cannot afford. I was a member of the Committee of Public Accounts which examined the issue of public private partnerships. We have gained some experience, in particular in terms of the provision of schools. Much expertise in this regard has been built up in the relevant Department.