A new report has called on the EU to take a more structured approach to developing public private partnerships (PPPs) in order to tackle the infrastructure deficit in Ireland and Europe.
The report, by consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers, analyses how PPPs have developed in the EU and looks at levels of PPP activity in each member state.
PWC's Aidan Walsh said there were 'significant levels of uncertainty and confusion' surrounding how EU legislation applies to PPPs. He said this added to the risks involved in such projects and inevitably resulted in higher costs.
The report says PPPs can be 15% cheaper than other forms of procurement. It wants the EU to provide guidance to member states on how to account for PPPs and set up a group to coordinate activities affecting PPPs.
