Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of properties his Department has paid rent on in the past three years; if the rent on such properties is fixed; if such rents have been reviewed in the past year; if he has tried to negotiate the cost of rent downwards in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27594/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the past three years my Department has rented office space in one building in Dublin, the ground floor of Hospitality House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 2 at a cost of €144,900 per annum. All other rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public Works.

The number of properties rented abroad for use as Chanceries and official Residences was 112 in 2007 and 2008 and 111 in 2009. The total rental cost of these properties in 2008 amounted to €13.825m. approximately.

Rental agreements vary from country to country in accordance with local law and practice. Leases are usually for a fixed period and many include a rent review clause. Rent increases on renewal of leases are generally in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the particular country.

Rent levels abroad are reviewed each year. In addition, all our Missions have recently been instructed to review rent levels and to explore the scope for negotiated reductions, having regard to local market conditions. In the time available, it has not been possible to collate information from all Missions on the level of savings achieved from this initiative.