Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes, based on the investment we might have made in a particular building and depending on the lease, it will make sense to retain it. Other times, it might be opportune for the Government, through the Office of Public Works, to cease or dispose of the lease. Obviously, a building's location will be paramount in our thoughts with reference to the operation of existing Departments, State agencies and public bodies. We perform that function on behalf of all State agencies and public bodies.

It is not a competency that we would expect each individual agency, particularly the smaller ones, to have. We have a strong tradition in this space. The business sector across the country knows the Office of Public Works at this stage in terms of our demands, where we have grown and where we have outgrown buildings. Sometimes people will directly approach the OPW and make it known that particular buildings, sites or opportunities come about. Thereafter there is a very strict process by way of the public spending code together with the Department of public expenditure and reform that has to be met in terms of extending existing leases or acquiring new buildings.