Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am always supportive of the OPW and the staff know that but I have to look at the figures from a different perspective. I understand the Minister of State has achieved a rent reduction in the case of a break clause and he was able to renegotiate the lease. What we would really like to know is the value of the rent roll that did not come up for rent review. It is great to get a 50% reduction in the lease on some of the properties but what about the rent on properties where the OPW will pay the same rent next year as was being paid three years ago? It has not come up for rent review. I know the Minister may not have that information with him. The Minister has been cherry picking the excellent cases where he has achieved a good reduction when the lease was up for review. From the totality of the rented properties, what percentage came up for a rent review and what percentage of property is well protected and has experienced no reduction in rent?

The Minister is getting great reductions in some areas, but it is possible he is getting little or no reductions in many other areas.