Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the implications for the public private partnership contract in place for school bundle five with the liquidation of a company (details supplied); the number of outstanding payments to be made; the amount paid to date; the progress and status of each individual project in the bundle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2879/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In respect of the Schools Bundle 5 PPP programme, a contract exists between my Department and the Principal contractor, Inspiredspaces.  Inspiredspaces is the name of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for the design, construction, finance, operation and maintenance of the programme.

The company referred to by the Deputy has been a 50% shareholder in InspiredSpaces. It is important to note that Inspiredspaces remains in place as the SPV responsible for delivery of Schools Bundle 5. The other 50% shareholder in the SPV is the Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF).

The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is responsible for management of the PPP contract on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.  The NDFA is currently engaging with DIF in relation to next steps.  Every effort is being made to ensure delivery of the schools in as timely a manner as possible.  The buildings in question are approximately 90% completed, with Loreto College Wexford being the most advanced.

Payment for the construction, operation and maintenance of these schools is made through annual inflation-linked payments called "unitary charges", the first of which will be made following the completion of the first school building. 

Additionally, the contract provides for the payment of a lump sum for the completion of the off-site works and related costs to allow for the delivery of these schools. €4.4 million has been paid to Inspiredspaces in that respect.  No further payments have been made in respect of this project agreement.