Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

It is as the Accounting Officer said. The standard way of providing offices for public bodies is through the OPW. The OPW owns some buildings and it leases buildings. In general the OPW does not charge rent for accommodation for a Government Department, but it may recoup a rent from a State body. It is probably a matter that would be worth taking up with the OPW. We are looking at some of the lease take on and disposal by the OPW and I would expect a report on that, but it will not be for some time.

Deputies will recall the issue that arose in respect of Caranua. Rents are quite substantial in Dublin, if one does the long division one is looking at €380 per square metre. In Dublin the current rate per square metre is €500 rising to €600, particularly in this vicinity. There are value issues that must be considered.