Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to the public finances of renting and leasing buildings from private property owners in total and broken down by Department or State agency over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11496/22]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) I can provide information in respect of leases held by the OPW only. These leases are mainly in respect of office buildings and the OPW does not hold information on leases that other State bodies may have entered into directly themselves.
A key function of the OPW is to provide accommodation for all Government Departments. In this regard, OPW holds a portfolio of property throughout the country to meet the various operational needs of the Civil Service, the Gardaí and various other State Bodies. The OPW’s objective is to hold, manage and maintain a property portfolio that is aligned to Government delivery needs in terms of size, location, specification, value for money and optimum utilisation.
The overall rental outturn from the OPW voted fund was €98.5m in 2020 and €103.3m in 2021. The detailed information requested by the Deputy is being compiled at present and will be forwarded within the next 10 days.
