Vital public services could be at risk from overuse of PPPs, warns Dublin city manager

VITAL public services like water and sewerage could be placed at risk if private firms achieve a greater role in running them, it was claimed last night.

Dublin City Council manager John Fitzgerald raised the fears over the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) scheme, in which the private sector takes over the running of public services.

Supporters of PPPs say the private sector can bring in more efficient business-like practices and reduce running costs while shouldering financial risks for improving services.