Vol. 501 No. 6
346 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has authorised the participation by his Department or any relevant State body in any public-private partnership; the number, if any, of these projects under way; if there are any possible public-private partnerships under negotiation between his Department and private investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6717/99]
The only project currently being developed on a public-private partnership basis is that of the Midlands Prison at Portlaoise.
This project was procured on a design, build and finance basis. This means the contractor is responsible for the detailed design, the building of the project and the financing of the project. The Government will then make repayments on the project over 20 years. The contract for this project was signed in May 1998 and the project is expected to be completed in August 1999. An extension to the Midlands Prison is at present under negotiation with a contractor on a pro rata basis to the above project.
In relation to possible further such projects, my Department has received expressions of interest from private investors which could in certain circumstances fall within the remit of the public-private partnerships.
