A report published today by the Comptroller and Auditor General says that five schools built under Public Private Partnerships could end up costing up to 13% more than if built by the State.
The Department of Education had estimated that the new arrangement involving the private sector could have saved around 6%.
However, according to the report, the real cost could be 19% more.
In 2001, the Department agreed a contract with Jarvis Plc to build, maintain and operate five new schools on publicly owned sites.
The Department agreed a monthly payment to the company over 25 years.
The total cost to the State has been estimated at €283 million.
