Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

The principal activity of the Office of Public Works is the delivery of architectural, engineering, property management and project management services for both its own projects and those of other State agencies. The OPW manages a large property portfolio, consisting of State-owned property with a book value of around €2.85 billion, and substantial leased property.

The Office of Public Work's appropriation account for 2012 records spending of around €393 million, divided between three programmes, namely, estate portfolio management, flood risk management and the National Procurement Service. The major expenditure from the Vote in 2012 included: rent and rates on leased properties amounting to €107 million; flood risk management and drainage maintenance at a cost of €67 million; payment of €52 million in respect of the National Convention Centre public private partnership project; purchases of sites and buildings, new works, alterations and additions at a cost of slightly more than €40 million; property maintenance works and supplies costing €36 million; and spending of €36 million on upkeep and visitor services at heritage properties.

In addition to its spending on Vote 13, the Office of Public Works also manages property related works reimbursed from other Votes. The expenditure in 2012 in that regard is estimated at almost €80 million.