Vol. 551 No. 2
548 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider a public private partnership arrangement to provide a new school at a site (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will meet a deputation from parents of students at this school to advance such a project. [10137/02]
My Department's current public private partnership, PPP, pilot programme, which has been under way for some time, consists of a bundle of five post-primary schools, a new school of music and a new national maritime college. Under the public private partnership model of procurement, consortia bid for projects on a design, build, finance and operate/maintain basis. As indicated in my reply to the Deputy on Wednesday, 20 March, the school referred to is being refurbished and extended as part of the Government's capital programme. As the design and architectural process for the project has already commenced, it is not possible to include it with any further projects being considered under my Department's PPP pilot programme.
549 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Westmeath and the long delays in approving the project, he will consider a proposition from a group of parents of children of this school to provide finance for this project on a lease-back basis. [10140/02]
A proposed new three-classroom school at the location referred to by the Deputy is part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as possible, under the expanded building programme. My Department's building unit has no record of proposals from the parents of children at the school to provide finance for this project through a leasing arrangement. Any proposals of this nature will be examined by my Department.
