Ms Clare McGrath:

We have no lease for an unoccupied property. No leases were taken on for decentralisation properties which are not occupied. The Deputy may be referring to situations where advance offices - offices taken in advance of permanent provision being made - continue to be used as accommodation.

They continue to be used as accommodation. With some, we have surrendered them and relocated staff, depending on the operational needs of the Departments to other locations. We may still have an ongoing need for leased accommodation because there is no alternative. However, it is not unused.