Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Rented Offices. – Dáil Éireann (18th Dáil) – Tuesday, 25 Feb 1969

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Rented Offices.

77.

Mr. Corish

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the location, (b) the square-footage, (c) the rent, (d) the rates and (e) the landlord of the individual office lots rented by each Department of State in (a) Dublin and (b) throughout the country.

79.

Mr. L'Estrange

asked the Minister for Finance (a) the names of offices now occupied by civil servants or other Government agencies that are rented, (b) the addresses of such offices, (c) from whom they are rented and (d) annual rent paid in each case.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. J. Gibbons)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together.

It is not the practice to disclose the amount of commercial rents payable in respect of individual properties and it would not be in the public interest to do so. In total, commercial rents payable for premises occupied by Government staffs amount to approximately £387,000 a year at present.

For the year 1967-68 a sum of the order of £1,000,000 was paid to local authorities by way of rates and bounty in lieu of rates in respect of properties in State occupation. As the bounty in lieu of rates which constitutes more than 80 per cent of the sum referred to is calculated on the basis of the gross totals of the valuations of all of the State occupied properties in a local authority's area it is not possible to furnish the information sought with respect to individual premises.

I regret that I have no information at my disposal in relation to offices occupied by other Government agencies.

The remaining details sought in the questions are in the form of a tabular statement which with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Property	Approximate Area in Square Feet	Department or Office by whom rent is payable	Landlord
COUNTY CARLOW:
Social Welfare Office, Regent Street, Muinebheag	180	Office of Public Works	Mrs. A. Maher
Department of Agriculture Office, Tullow Street, Carlow	2,000	,,	K. Mahon
COUNTY CAVAN:
District Office of Public Works, Farnham Street, Cavan	200	,,	Mrs. G. Lynch
Land Project Office, Farnham Street, Cavan	735	,,	Cavan Cinema Ltd.
Government Offices, 18 Casement Street, Cavan	370	,,	Providers Ltd.
Driving Test Centre, 20 Farnham Street, Cavan	300	,,	Miss Smith
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Office, Casement Street, Cavan	300	Department of Posts and Telegraphs Office of Public Works	Mr. Lynch
Social Welfare Office, Wesley Street, Bailieborough	200		Richard Murray
Customs and Excise Office, Farnham Place, Cavan	150	,,	Miss M. McKiernan
COUNTY CLARE:
Government Offices, 2 Bank Place, Ennis	1,600	,,	Dr. M. Rynne
Driving Test Centre, Scout Hall, Ennis	120	Department of Local Government	Scout Hall Committee, Ennis.
Social Welfare Office, Moore Street, Kilrush	384	Office of Public Works	Mr. K. McMahon
Driving Test Centre, Town Hall, Kilrush	120	Department of Local Government	Kilrush U.D.C.
COUNTY CORK:
Customs and Excise Office, 15 Parnell Place, Cork	1,375	Office of Public Works	Miss G.O'Reilly
Government Offices, 32 Grand Parade, Cork	740	,,	Miss A. O'Brien
Employment Exchange, 1-4 White Street, Cork	3,380	,,	Michael Powell, Holland Estate
Custom House, Cork	2,725	,,	Cork Harbour Commissioners.
Customs and Excise Office, Watercourse Road, Cork	400	,,	Watercourse Distillery Ltd.
Government Buildings, Patrick Street, Cork	18,860	,,	Roches Stores Ltd.
Government Offices, 10 Patrick Street, Cork	1,800	,,	National Bank Ltd.
Social Welfare Office, 9 Washington Street, Cork	253	,,	A. Sless
Driving Test Centre, 29A Henry Street, Cork	200	,,	Miss M.J. Fitzsimons
Department of Agriculture Office, Bank of Ireland, South Mall, Cork	3,660	,,	Bank of Ireland
Government Offices, Irish Life House, Cork	9,775	,,	South Mall Property Investments Ltd.
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Office, Irish Life House, Cork	4,000	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	South Mall Property Investments Ltd.
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Office, 42 Patrick Street, Cork	1,600	,,	Rentel Ltd.
Revenue Commissioners' Office, The Square, Bantry	300	Office of Public Works	Mrs. K.M. Kelly
Employment Exchange, 6 Main Street, Bantry	1,00	,,	Mrs. O'Sullivan
Employment Exchange, West Beach, Cobh	870	,,	Limerick Steamship Co.
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Midleton	110	,,	Cork Distilleries Co. Ltd.
Government Offices, 41 Bank Place, Mallow	260	,,	G.F. Quinn
Government Offices, 3 North Main Street, Macroom	400	,,	Reps. of H.M. Murphy
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Castletownbere	112	,,	Mrs. E. Murphy
Government Offices, Pearse Square, Fermoy	630	,,	Mr. J. Daly
Social Welfare Office, Sth. Main Street, Bandon	200	,,	J. Mehigan
Social Welfare Office, Main Street, Newmarket	140	,,	P. O'Brien
Social Welfare Office, Main Street, Dunmanway	350	,,	Mrs. K. Lordan
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Crookhaven	150	,,	S. Flynn
Driving Test Centre, North Street, Skibbereen	190	,,	Jerome O'Dwyer
Land Project Office, Wolfe Tone Street, Clonakilty	830	,,	J. Lyons
COUNTY DONEGAL:
Customs and Excise Office, Letterkenny	225	,,	Miss M. McCoy
District Office of Public Works, 12 Lr. Main Street, Letterkenny	860	,,	Miss O. McCafferty
Employment Exchange, Main Street, Letterkenny	1,960	,,	Miss Mabel Wallace
Employment Exchange, Dunfanaghy	1,440	,,	Mr. R.M. Arnold
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Port Road, Letterkenny	1,400	,,	Lloyds Bank
Government Offices, Bridge Street, Donegal	750	,,	John Sweeney
Customs and Excise Office, Aileach Road, Buncrana	200	,,	Mrs. K. McCormick
Customs and Excise Office, Main Street, Ballyshannon	175	,,	P.J. Fox
Social Welfare Office, Upper Main Street, Ballyshannon	120	,,	Mrs. E. Patterson
Land Commission Office, Main Street, Letterkenny	800	,,	James Clarke
Social Welfare Office, Townsend Street, Buncrana	156	,,	William Longwill
Department of Agriculture Office, Meeting House Street, Raphoe	1,200	,,	William Reyholds
Land Project Office, Main Street, Donegal	250	,,	George Irwin
Driving Test Centre, Pound Street, Carndonagh	130	,,	Paul McLoughlin
Driving Test Centre, Quay Street, Donegal	180	,,	E. McIntyre
Government Offices, Letterkenny	1,600	,,	Dr. M. Walsh
Customs and Excise Office, The Diamond, Raphoe	210	,,	D.P. Harte
Driving Test Centre, 30 Lr. Main Street, Letterkenny	120	Department of Local Government	F. McLoughlin
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Office, Bridge Street, Donegal	300	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	John Sweeney
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Office, Kilmacrennan Road, LetterKenny	200	,,	Frank Callaghan
DUBLIN CITY AND COUNTY:
Valuation Office, 5/6 Ely Place	21,900	Office of Public Works	F. Martin Estate
Geological Survey Office, 14 Hume Street	5,100	,,	Miss Angela Dunn
Irish National Productivity Committee, 14 St. Stephen's Green	6,400	,,	Dublin Corporation
Employment Exchange, Victoria Street	2,500	,,	Trustees Kingsland Methodist Church
Office of Public Works and others, 34 Molesworth Street	8,800	,,	J.C. Ridley-Day and Others
Fair Trade Commission, 50 Upper Mount Street	3,900	,,	E. and A. Investment Trust
Agricultural Wages Board, 3 Lower Ormond Quay	5,900	,,	Miss M.L. Concannon
Civil Service Commission and others, 10 Parnell Square	8,400	,,	S.H. Colten and Others
Land Commission, 46 St. Stephen's Green	5,000	,,	Green Property Co. Ltd.
Revenue Commissioners, 73 Harcourt Street	1,439	,,	Mrs. A. McGilligan
Geological Survey Office, 19 Hume Street	1,348	,,	Green Property Co. Ltd.
Revenue Commissioners, 61 Middle Abbey Street	1,855	,,	Windles Ltd.
Revenue Commissioners, 82 Strand Street, Skerries	178	,,	Parochial Hall Committee, Skerries
Department of Justice, 128 Lower Baggot Street	3,100	,,	Miss L. O'Connor and Miss M. Carey
Portal Inspection Office, 3 North Wall	1,160	,,	British and Irish Steampacket Co. Ltd.
Department of Social Welfare, 1 Beresford Place	2,800	,,	Southern Properties Ltd.
Department of Lands, 21 Upper Merrion Street	5,800	,,	Miss H. McDermott, Gervaise Scroope and Redmond Naish
Department of Agriculture, 17 Upper Merrion Street	1,200	,,	Estate of Joseph O'Reilly
Revenue Commissioners, 11-13 Upper O'Connell Street, Hammam Buildings.	14,545	,,	Meagher Hayes & Co. Ltd.
Department of Justice Adoption Board,45 St. Stephen's Green	2,400	,,	Farmleigh Property Co. Ltd.
Employment Exchange, 93 Lr. Georges Street, Dún Laoghaire	2,100	,,	D.C. Ring and J.K. Ring
Revenue Commissioners, John's Lane	700	,,	John Power & Son Ltd.
Revenue Commissioners, St. James' Gate Brewery, Dublin	300	,,	A. Guinness, Son & Co. Ltd.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 3 Cathal Brugha Street	10,800	,,	Meagher Hayes & Co. Ltd.
Department of Lands, 33 Upper Merrion Street	3,400	,,	Irish Freehold and Leasehold Investment Co. Ltd.
Department of Agriculture, West Block, Kildare Street, Dublin	14,200	,,	Governors, Church of Ireland.
Department of the Gaeltacht, 25/26 Earlsfort Terrace	5,900	Office of Public Works	Messrs. Leddy, Charlton and McKnight.
Office of Public Works, 8/9 Merrion Row	2,050	,,	Chas. Chambers Ltd.
Department of Agriculture, 1 Mount Street Crescent	2,070	,,	Irish Estates Ltd.
Department of Agriculture, 7/8 Mount Street Crescent	4,989	,,	,,
Office of Public Works, 18 Lansdowne Road	2,452	,,	Mrs. M.A. Dixon
Department of Agriculture, 190/121 Lr. Baggot Street	3,725	,,	Omega Property Co.
Revenue Commissioners, 51 Lr. Baggot Street	3,000	,,	Conor Buckely
Revenue Commissioners, 55/56 Upr. O'Connell Street	9,000	,,	Irish Life Assurance Co.
Social Welfare Office, Sandyford Road, Dundrum	100	,,	Mrs. A. Byrne
Government Offices, O'Connell Bridge House	45,000	,,	Carlisle Trust Ltd.
Government Offices, Hawkins House, Hawkins Street	24,275	,,	Commercial and Industrial Property Co. Ltd.
Department of Labour, Ansley House, Mespil Road	55,000	,,	Dublin Investments Ltd.
Central Statistics Office, St. Stephen's Green House	27,000	,,	Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann
Government Offices, 72/76 St. Stephen's			Teo.
Green	68,000	,,	Colmstock Properties Ltd.
Government Offices, Liberty Hall	9,960	,,	Irish Transport and General Workers' Union
Department of Agriculture, Hume House, Ballsbridge	3,932	,,	Ballsbridge Property Investments Ltd.
Government Offices, 2/8 Lansdowne Road	39,850	,,	Lansdowne Ltd.
Government Offices, St. Martin's House, Waterloo Road	24,000	,,	St. Martin's Property Corporation Ltd.
Department of Posts and Telegraphs		Department of Posts and	Meagher Hayes & Co.
Offices, Hammam Buildings, Upper		Telegraphs	Ltd.
O'Connell Street	38,970
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Offices, 34/37 Clarendon Street	11,930	,,	Castle Forbes Works Ltd.
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Offices, Hawkins House, Hawkins Street	34,800	,,	Commercial & Industrial Property Co. Ltd.
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Offices, 31 Lr. O'Connell Street	3,050	,,	Saxone, Lilley & Skinner (Holdings) Ltd.
COUNTY GALWAY:
Government Offices, 16 Eyre Square, Galway	1,980	Office of Public Works	M. Greaney
Social Welfare Office and Employment Exchange, Bridge Street, Clifden	985	,,	James Lee
Employment Exchange, Claddagh, Galway	2,900	,,	Calaroga Ltd.
Social Welfare Office, Patrick Street, Portumna	180	,,	M. Hynes
Government Offices, 11 Dominic Street, Galway	830	,,	J.R. Porter Ltd.
Land Project Office, 2/3 Eglinton Street, Galway	960	,,	Messrs. McNamara, Maxwell & Co.
Land Project Office, Mall House, Tuam	780	,,	Miss A.M. Hession
Driving Test Centre, New Dock Street, Galway	770	,,	J. Sisk & Son (Dublin) Ltd.
Driving Test Centre, Temperance Hall, Loughrea	120	Department of Local Government	Rev. Administrator, Presbytery, Loughrea
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, 5 Eyre Square, Galway	272	Departments of Posts and Telegraphs	B. Gavin
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, Mary Street, Galway	600	,,	John O'Donnell
COUNTY KERRY:
Social Welfare Office, Market Street, Listowel	280	Office of Public Works	Patrick McMahon
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Custom House, Tralee	2,250	,,	Charles E. Day
Social Welfare Office, Main Street, Kenmare	180	,,	Mr. J. McCarthy
Government Offices, Town Hall, Killarney	1,000	,,	Killarney U.D.C.
Department of Agriculture Offices, 6-8 Denny Street, Tralee	2,140	,,	T. Kelleher
Land Project Office, 58 New Street, Killarney	550	,,	Dr. William O'Sullivan
Driving Test Centre, New Street, Killarney	400	,,	Mr. John O'Mahoney
Driving Test Centre, Rock Street, Tralee	200	,,	R. O'Neill
Forestry Office, 23 Denny Street, Tralee	150	,,	William Giles
COUNTY KILDARE:
Employment Exchange, 20 Leinster Street, Athy	400	,,	Roberty Kenneth Law
Social Welfare Office, 21 Leinster Square, Athy	280	,,	Mrs. B. Hogan
Department of Agriculture Office, Poplar Square, Naas	1,120	,,	Irish Labour Party
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, Main Street, Naas	800	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	Mr. J. Keenan
COUNTY KILKENNY:
Forestry Office, Patrick Street, Kilkenny	1,000	Office of Public Works	Bank of Ireland, Kilkenny
COUNTY LAOIS:
Customs and Excise Office, Main Street, Portarlington	180	,,	P.J. Kelly
Abbeyleix Social Welfare Office	200	,,	D. Kirwan
Customs and Excise Office, Moore Street, Rathdowney	180	,,	Mr. M. Cahill
Driving Test Centre, 8 Grattan Street, Portlaoise	120	Department of Local Government	Mrs. C. Moloney
COUNTY LEITRIM:
Driving Test Centre, Main Street, Carrick-on-Shannon	280	Office of Public Works	Mrs. Y. Flynn
Employment Exchange, Castle Street, Manorhamilton	200	,,	D. McGuinness
Land Project Office, Main Street, Carrick-on-Shannon	280	,,	F. Murray
Department of Posts and Telegraphs Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon	126	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	Mr. F. Murray
COUNTY LIMERICK:
Employment Exchange, 29 Upper Cecil Street, Limerick	11,460	Office of Public Works	Mrs. E.K. Campbell and Others.
Employment Exchange, Bishop Street, Newcastlewest	1,450	,,	J.D. O'Kelly
Driving Test Centre, Bishop Street, Newcastlewest	120	,,	Miss Bridge Commane
Customs and Excise Offices, Foynes	440	Office of Public Works	Foynes Harbour Trustees
Government Offices, O'Connell Street, Limerick	10,250	,,	Todd and Company Ltd. Miss M. Finn
Social Welfare Office, Main Street,Rathkeale	180	,,
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, Chapel Street, Newcastlewest	800	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	John Kennedy
COUNTY LONGFORD:
Social Welfare Office, Main Street, Granard	200	Office of Public Works	Mrs. A. White
COUNTY LOUTH:
Employment Exchange, William Street, Drogheda	1,860	,,	Trustees of the Methodist Church
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Francis Street, Dundalk	900	,,	Messrs. O. & T. Gogarty.
Government Offices, St. Patrick's Hall, Dundalk	2,800	,,	Very Reverend T.F. McDonald, P.P
Customs and Excise Office, North Quay, Drogheda	530	,,	Martin Butterly & Co. Ltd. and Butterly's Holdings Ltd.
Social Welfare Office, Market Street,	220	,,	Ltd.
Department of Agriculture Office, South Quay, Drogheda	1,930	,,	Messrs. Kiernan & McGee Finnegan (Drogheda) Coals, Ltd.
Driving Tesh Centre, Old Infirmary, Dundalk	120	Department of Local Government	Louth County Council
COUNTY MAYO:
Belmullet Social Welfare Office	910	Office of Public Works	Mrs. Marg. Hurst
Local Government Office, Main Street, Kiltimagh	156	,,	Michael Ferrick
Land Project Office, Lord Edward Street, Ballina	320	,,	Joseph Murphy Ltd.
Government Office, The Square, Claremorris	210	,,	Dr. G. Maguire
Driving Test Centre, New Antrim Street, Castlebar	175	,,	Mr. John Chambers
Driving Test Centre, Ballina	130	,,	Miss P. Langan Murphy
COUNTY MEATH:
Land Project Office, 48 Trimgate Street, An Uaimh	1,000	,,	Mrs. J. O'Reilly
Social Welfare Office, High Street, Trim	250	,,	J. Dunne
Land Commission Office, 39 Brews Hill, An Uaimh	430	,,	Mrs. M. Clarke
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, C.Y.M.S. Hall, Green An Uaimh	288	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	Reverend Administrator, An Uaimh
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, 12 Ludlow Street, An Uaimh	350	,,	Mrs. K. Real
COUNTY MONAGHAN:
Social Welfare Office, Market Square, Castleblayney	144	Office of Public Works	Bernard Leary
Government Offices, North Road, Monaghan	750	,,	Mrs. M.J. Linden
Driving Test Centre, North Road, Monaghan	280	,,	T.G. Gilmore
COUNTY OFFALY:
Driving Test Centre, Emmet Street, Birr	270	,,	Birr Estates Co.
Government Office, Harbour Street, Tullamore	740	,,	Midland Hotels Co. Ltd.
Revenue Commissioners, Office, Tullamore	870	Office of Public Works	B. Daly & Co. Ltd.
Land Project Office, Church Street, Tullamore	540	,,	Offaly Co. Co.
Land Commission Office, Bridge Street, Tullamore	1,000	,,	Mrs. J.E. Robson
COUNTY ROSCOMMON:
Social Welfare Office, The Square, Roscommon	175	,,	Mrs. B. Monahan
Social Welfare Office, St. Mary's Hall, Ballaghaderreen	190	,,	Administrator, Presbytery Ballaghaderreen
Driving Test Centre, St. Colman's Hall, Roscommon	120	Department of Local Government	Rev. T.J. Martin, C. C.
COUNTY SLIGO:
Local Government Office, Sligo Courthouse	144	Office of Public Works	Sligo Co. Council
Social Welfare Office, Sligo Road, Ballymote	120	,,	Repts. Mrs. Gardiner
District Office of Public Works, Chapel Street, Sligo	850	,,	Mrs. J.S. Walsh
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, 44 O'Connell Street, Sligo	1,200	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	O'Connor Bros.
COUNTY TIPPERARY:
Government Offices, The Mall, Thurles	3,250	Office of Public Works	Miss A. Leahy
Land Project Office, Liberty Square, Thurles	460	,,	P.J. O'Meara
Social Welfare Office, 4 Bridge Street, Tipperary	690	,,	Miss K. Kiely
Driving Test Centre, Knox Hall, Thurles	120	Department of Local Government	Mr. R. Hegarty
Driving Test Centre, Town Hall, Nenagh	120	,,	Nenagh U.D.C.
Department of Posts and Telegraphs, 6 Market Street, Clonmel	200	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	Mrs. Baker
Department of Post and Telegraphs, Abbey Road, Thurles	596	,,	W. Taylor
COUNTY WATERFORD:
Social Welfare Office, 9 o'Connell Street, Dungarvan	634	Office of Public Works	Mrs. Spratt
Revenue Commissioners' Office, 1/2 Michael Street, Waterford	2,600	,,	Associated Tailors (Ireland) Ltd.
COUNTY WESTMEATH:
Revenue Commissioners' Office, Kilbeggan	350	,,	Karl Heinz Meller
Government Offices, 19 Pears Street, Mullingar	1,200	,,	T. McHugh and others
Land Project Office, 29 Pearse Street, Mullingar	320	,,	Gordon J. Ross
Driving Test Centre, St. Mary's Hall, Mullingar	400	,,	Rev. J. Dermody
Department of Posts and Telegraphs premises, Railway Station, Mullingar	480	Department of Posts and Telegraphs	C.I.E.
COUNTY WEXFORD:
Government Offices, Paul Quay, Wexford	1,550	Office of Public Works	J.J. Stafford & Sons, Ltd.
Social Welfare Office, South Quay, New Ross	300	,,	Thos. Ryan
Government Office, Gorey	380	Office of Public Works	E.W. Warren
Government Offices, Slaney Place, Enniscorthy	570	,,	Miss A. Kelly
Land Project Office, 1 Market Square, Enniscorthy	300	,,	S. O'Dowd
Land Commission Office, Mary Street, New Ross	750	,,	Augustinian Fathers
COUNTY WICKLOW:
District Office of Public Works, 16A Main Street, Arklow	1,625	,,	A. B. Brennan Ltd.
Forestry Office, Main Street, Bray	360	,,	Miss M. Nolan
Land Project Office, Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow	400	,,	C. L. Coulderry and others
Driving Test Centre, Bachelor's Walk, Wicklow	208	,,	Wicklow Assembly Hall Committee
Customs and Excise Office, 18 Main Street, Arklow	160	,,	A.B. Brennan Ltd.

Mr. L'Estrange

Why would it not be in the public interest to give us the rents paid to these people?

Mr. J. Gibbons

It has never been the practice.

Mr. L'Estrange

Is there anything to hide? Are they foreign speculators or members of Taca? What is the particular reason for not giving this House the information?

Mr. J. Gibbons

That suggestion is unworthy even of Fine Gael. It should be obvious to Fine Gael and to the House that if figures of this kind were not confidential it would result in the properties being a great deal dearer than they are at the present time for leasing by the Government from people of that kind, because the standard set by the Government would be accepted as general and would be used to lever up prices. Surely this must be obvious even to Deputy L'Estrange?

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 1969