1249. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department covers the legal and administrative 'contract variation' costs imposed by public-private partnership (PPP) operators when a school attempts to upgrade its sports facilities using State sports capital funding; to clarify who holds the long-term maintenance liability and financial responsibility for sports infrastructure built via State grants on a school site currently under an active PPP contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56709/26]

Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a method of procuring public infrastructure and services. There are six PPP school bundles, each operating under a 25-year Project Agreement. During the operational period, the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is responsible for managing the contracts with the PPP companies on behalf of my department.

The operational, maintenance and lifecycle requirements of the schools, including sports facilities that were constructed or installed as part of the original PPP contract, remain the responsibility of the PPP company until the expiry of the relevant Project Agreement.

Where facilities are subsequently upgraded or altered at the request of a school or my department, and such changes were not part of the original PPP contract, the Project Agreement contains established procedures to facilitate the implementation of additional works.

The contract includes provision for additional payments to the PPP operator to reflect costs it may incur for works that were not part of the original contract. Depending on the nature of the change, these additional costs may include legal and administrative costs, where applicable.

Any long-term maintenance obligations and associated costs arising from proposed upgrades or alterations would be identified, reviewed, and agreed by all parties in advance.