Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
341. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to the Exchequer of delivering all public private partnerships planned for the technological sector as direct capital investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28822/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Higher Education Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme comprises eleven building projects in the Higher Education sector. The Programme is broken into two bundles with Bundle 1 comprising six projects, currently at preferred tenderer stage and Bundle 2 comprising five projects, currently at competitive dialogue (pre-tender submission) stage. These projects will play an important role in enabling projected increases in student enrolments, addressing severe constraints with regard to existing infrastructure and advancing the TU agenda. The programme will deliver some 70,000m2 of additional space, generating an additional 8,000 student places, mainly in STEM-related areas.
The cost estimates in relation to the Higher Education PPP Programme were published on e-tenders as part of the contract notice in 2019 and 2020 for Bundle 1 and 2 respectively. Bundle 1 had an estimated construction value of €150m (excluding VAT) whilst Bundle 2 had an estimated construction value of €140m (excluding VAT). Since these figures were published, there has been significant inflation in the construction sector; the exact cost of each bundle will be finalised prior to contract signing and subject to a Value for Money assessment prior to contract signing.
As is the case with all higher education PPP projects, the costs are reimbursed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to the PPP Company, as part of the monthly Unitary Charge payments. These payments only commence once construction has been completed, the facilities are operational and continue over the 25 year period.
