Public Private Partnerships

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Ceisteanna (450)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

450. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the practice in the education sector of allowing approximately five years to elapse after the award of a public private partnership contract before a public sector benchmark is published in order to allow for a reasonable level of transparency and political accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56099/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As the deputy is aware, the development of a Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) is now a key part of the Value for Money assessment prior to proceeding with a PPP project. The PSB represents the full estimated cost, including risk to the State of delivering the project using “traditional” public sector procurement.

It is the practice in the education sector to allow approximately five years to elapse after award of a PPP contract before a PSB (or any elements thereof) is published in order to allow any commercial sensitivities to elapse. This policy provides the appropriate protection where the public sector is likely to procure a similar project in the same or other sectors in the foreseeable future. The timing of publication may also depend on whether there is another similar PPP programme in procurement and a judgement must be made as to whether the publication of the PSB might influence the bidding strategies of tenderers.

In this regard, there are no plans to review this practice at present.