Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has examined the causes of the overrun in the cost of the public private partnership schools already constructed; the lessons which have been learned; the changes which will be incorporated in the contracts and specifications for the schools recently announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27672/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The first bundle of five post-primary PPP schools were delivered up to eight weeks ahead of schedule and within the price agreed. There was no cost overrun.

One of the fundamental elements of PPPs is the incorporation of life cycle planning in the design, construction and costing of the project. My Department has, as a result of its PPP experience, included this element of design in traditionally procured schools, with emphasis on the durability of design and materials. While it is anticipated that this will lead to an increase in the capital cost of school projects, it will lead to lower maintenance costs and greater longevity of schools in the future, thus providing value for money over a longer term.