State Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2018

Wednesday, 4 July 2018

Ceisteanna (182)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

182. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the State and NAMA owned buildings in Newbridge. [29534/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I wish to advise the Deputy that NAMA does not own property. Instead NAMA acquired loans and its role is as a secured lender.

NAMA is prohibited from disclosing confidential debtor information under Sections 99 and 202 of the NAMA Act, including information on the location and type of assets owned by debtors. As a result it is not possible to identify particular assets which secure NAMA loans in Newbridge, as I am advised that to do so could identify the owners of these properties as NAMA debtors. However, while not identifying specific properties, I am advised that NAMA holds security over a single commercial property in Newbridge town, as well as a number of plots of land in the surrounding areas.

NAMA’s Annual Report & Financial Statements for 2017, which was launched last month and which is available on the NAMA website, www.nama.ie, includes information on the property collateral securing NAMA’s remaining loan portfolio. I am advised that, as of 31 December 2017, just 4% of the remaining property portfolio securing NAMA loans was located in Kildare.

There are c.100 non-commercial State organisations that hold property - from Central Government Departments to Local Authorities, Education Training Boards, the IDA etc.  In addition there are State-owned commercial bodies that hold property. I am not in a position to answer on behalf of all of these organisations, and can only answer for what the Commissioners for Public Works hold in their own right, or on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Commissioners of Public Works have 6 properties in Newbridge - the Garda Station and two Garda residences on Main Street, the Department of Defence Offices on Station Road, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection offices on Moorefield Road and a small office building on Eyre Street.