Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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I have a question that will not cause any problems from that perspective. The premises that housed the Bridge Project had its rent increased from €90,000 to €125,000 per year. Alternative accommodation was sought and a lease with a payment of approximately €300,000 per year was entered into. When that lease did not work out, the project moved to a premises in Gardiner Row where it is paying €600 per month for the specific rooms. In addition, the community employment scheme will rent premises at €4,000 per year. They are currently in accommodation that is costing €10,000 per year whereas a number of years ago, it seemed prudent to go to a place that would cost €300,000 per year from a rent of €125,000 per year. Are those figures accurate and do they not show that in the first instance, an exorbitant amount of money was being paid in rent for this project?