Mr. Martin Bourke:

The vast majority of properties we have disposed of over the years - and the number is diminishing at this time because there are just fewer to dispose of - have gone to auction.

If there is a special interest on a property, for instance if there is a garden adjoining somebody's house, entering into an arrangement with the person might be considered because there would almost be a moral obligation to do some class of business with the person, subject to an independent valuation. At present, the majority of action taking place on the disposal of properties is actually with regard to other State agencies, particularly local authorities. Before any property is disposed of, either through private treaty or at auction, a protocol is in place and there is a circular from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that requires the property would first be offered to State bodies, such as local authorities, the Department of Education and Skills or the HSE, to see whether they require the property. This was part of the OPW's reform agenda on property and we now do this as a matter of course. As a result of this, particularly in the context of the housing and homelessness issue, there has been an amount of interest in vacant properties. Some local authorities have taken an interest, particularly Dublin City Council, and we have worked with it to transfer those properties under the protocol. We also have similar arrangements in Limerick, Cork and Tipperary. It is a fluid situation and we are trying to make sure the properties are used to their optimum. As a general rule, if they have to be disposed of we advertise them. We get an auctioneer and advertise them so everyone would have a fair chance to get them.