Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht 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. [27588/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not pay rent in respect of properties occupied by its staff. That function, and all matters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property, including the question of rent reviews, are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

However, I can confirm to the Deputy that eight properties have been rented on my Department's behalf by the OPW in the past 3 years. These comprise

my Department's headquarters building in Dublin;

two properties in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, in which staff relocated under the Decentralisation Programme are being accommodated on an interim basis;

temporary accommodation adjacent to my Department's regional offices in Na Forbacha, Co Galway;

two local offices in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal, and Acaill, Co Mayo; and

two warehousing facilities in Jamestown, Dublin, and Tullamore, Co Offaly

The accommodation in Gaoth Dobhair and Acaill is leased from Údarás na Gaeltachta as was the temporary accommodation in na Forbacha.