PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS:DETAILS OF a number of the State's public-private partnerships have been revealed by the CAG report. In a section dealing with a pilot school-building projects covering five schools at Clones, Dunmanway, Tubbercurry, Ballincollig, and Shannon, the comptroller revealed the projected total cost would be €283 million, of which about €74 million has been paid.
The State has paid €116 million for the as yet unopened Limerick Tunnel and will pay a further €143.4 million to the private sector partner which will also be allowed to collect tolls until 2041.
In contrast, the State had paid nothing up to the end of last year for the M50 upgrade, but is committed to spending €1 billion. The Government has said this money will come from toll revenue.
About €195 million has been paid for the Dublin Bay waste water treatment plant, with another €14.6 million yet to be handed over. A note to the accounts says this figure excludes expenditure from local authorities.
Just under €20 million has been spent on the Cork School of Music, with another €200 million to be paid by the State.
The report also indicated the National Roads Authority has already begun to receive a share of revenue from some of the State’s toll roads. It was credited with €500,000 from the Kilcock/Kinnegad motorway in 2008 “in the form of revenue share”. Similarly, the State enjoyed a revenue share of €1.4 million from the Dundalk western bypass and associated 42km of the M1.
The report also indicated nothing has as yet been paid for the new, €615 million Criminal Courts of Justice complex in Dublin. The courts service entered a 25-year contract with Babcock and Brown CCC Limited Partnership for a 23,000sq m building which will house 22 courtrooms, administration and ancillary offices, as well as prisoner-holding areas. The Bar Council is also to be accommodated in the building which is expected to be operational in November.
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