Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [27592/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In the main, property occupied by the Department is acquired through the OPW and rent is paid by that Office. However, in certain circumstances the Department has been required to rent property pending the sourcing of suitable long-term accommodation by the OPW. In mid-2006, the Department leased temporary office accommodation for a period of one year at a total cost of €14,560, pending the upgrade of one of the Department's local offices. The Department has also rented storage space for specialist equipment on a temporary basis since 01 January 2008. This followed the sale and demolition of the building where the storage had previously been provided by the OPW. Total rent paid since that date is €32,027. My Department is currently working to provide long-term accommodation for the equipment in storage.