Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2017
152. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to publish the cost-benefit analysis of existing public private partnership projects; and the criteria used to select them as recommended by the International Monetary Fund public investment management assessment for Ireland. [51881/17]
View answerThe recent Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA) for Ireland carried out by the IMF recommended that the results of cost-benefit analysis on Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, and the criteria used to select them should be published.
As the Deputy will be aware PPPs are subjected to the same robust and rigorous project appraisal process as traditionally procured infrastructure. In ensuring Departments obtain the best value-for-money from public capital investment they are subject to the requirements contained in the Public Spending Code.
The Public Spending Code encompasses guidance on a variety of issues related to the management of expenditure at each stage of the expenditure life cycle. This includes central guidance on the application of appraisal and evaluation methodologies including cost benefit analysis. This methodological guidance aims to enhance consistency across sectors through common approaches and the use of key technical parameter values needed for quantifying costs and conducting economic appraisals.
While there is already significant guidance and data published on PPPs I acknowledge that the publication of cost-benefit analysis on PPP projects would provide greater transparency on reporting on PPP projects. However, in assessing the implementation of the PIMA recommendation, it would be important to take into account the commercial confidentiality of specific data included in the appraisal of PPPs.
A senior level group has been established to make recommendations on the future role of PPPs. The group comprises relevant officials from the Departments with experience of procuring projects by PPP, together with the Department of Finance, the National Development Finance Agency and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. As part of its work, the group will review the recommendations made in the PIMA report that relate to PPPs to inform future decision-making on these matters. I expect the Group's deliberations to be completed alongside the finalisation of the ten year capital plan which is currently being developed by my Department to support the implementation of the Ireland 2040 Plan detailing the new National Planning Framework.
