Office of Public Works Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Ceisteanna (234)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

234. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an explanation as to what is happening relative to the visit of the Office of Public Works to Durrow Abbey and the threat to break locks to gain entry; if the issue relative to the lease and grant awarded but unpaid that has been ongoing for five years has not been resolved; the efforts made to resolve matters; the timeline of events and actions from the first engagement with Art For Peace project to date to include meetings and the agreement to grant aid the project; and the efforts that were made to reconcile matters during the past five years [40469/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Commissioners of Public Works manage a large and diverse property portfolio including the property known as Durrow Abbey House. Durrow Abbey House is leased to the Arts for Peace Foundation (AFP) charity on a 99 year lease which includes an obligation on the tenant to insure and keep the house in good repair.

A notice issued to the lessee under clause 2.13 of the lease giving notice that the property is to be inspected in line with the lease terms. Clause 2.13 of the lease allows the OPW to serve a notice giving 24 hours notice of intention to enter and examine the property for the purpose of ascertaining if any repairs need to be made.

The notice asked the Foundation to immediately inform the OPW of arrangements to allow the Commissioners, their servants or agents, to make, after the expiration of 24 hours after the service of the notice, the entry and examination referred to above.

That letter was issued after obtaining the advice of the Office of the Attorney General.

The property was visited on Monday 16th November. A condition report on the property will now be prepared by the Commissioners architects.

The Commissioners of Public Works have for a number of years engaged with the charity to resolve issues pertaining to this property. There have been a number of meetings and significant correspondence in an attempt to resolve matters. The Commissioners had agreed to provide funding (€250,000), for works to the fabric of the building, subject to standard governance and financial criteria being applied in the drawing down of funding. The AFP charity have not commenced works on the property in line with their stated objective.