Ms Clare McGrath:

All property solutions, irrespective of whether they are part of the decentralisation programme, take account of whether we should go to the market or if we should use a pre-existing opportunity in an area. Long-term leases are a property solution for the provision of accommodation for public servants. We operate in the market and a long-term lease is one of the solutions we use. As the Deputy knows, lots of private companies use that option too, rather than acquiring property on a permanent basis. When we provide the accommodation, we do so based on the brief and the number of places required. We are in the business of providing the seats but the actual occupancy is a matter for the occupying Department.