Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 Oct 2000

Vol. 525 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public-Private Partnerships.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

99 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the projects sanctioned by his Department as part of the public/private partnership programme; if it is his intention that PPP's should proceed on a design, finance, construct and manage basis; if difficulties have arisen with regard to the nature of the financial arrangements being proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23671/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The sanctioning and delivery of specific projects is a matter for the Departments and agencies responsible for the relevant investment programmes. The Departments and authorities directly responsible for each programme area retain the responsibility for bringing forward specific projects, in co-operation with my Department which is responsible for driving the overall PPP process forward.

The key criteria for selecting the pilot PPP projects announced in June 1999 and the further PPP projects identified under the national development plan are the project's priority at national level and its long-term value for money. Under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness a framework to facilitate the development of the PPP process and to guide the implementation of individual PPP projects is currently being drafted in consultation with the social partners.

However, substantial progress has already been made in implementing the PPP pilots where the focus is on design, build, finance and operate projects in the roads, public transport, education and environment areas. The purpose of the pilot phase is to help identify and resolve issues arising in relation to any aspects of the projects which may act as obstacles to the accelerated delivery of key national infrastructure and quality public services.

The PPP programme is at an early stage of development. Two pilot projects in the education sector have reached the market with the pre-qualification documents for the first roads projects expected in the coming weeks. The projects have not advanced to the stage where a detailed assessment of the financing options is undertaken. Hence I am not aware of any difficulties in relation to prospective financing arrangements.