Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will itemise the number of buildings that his Department leases; the annual rental and average price paid per square metre; if any review of the leases has been initiated to seek lower rents in the context of the current financial position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42703/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision of office space for Government Departments. I am informed that generally, with long-term leases, rent reviews and lease breaks are provided for on a rolling five year basis. I understand that where there is provision for a rent review or a lease break, the OPW does enter into negotiations based, in part, on current market values. As regards my own Department, there are currently three offices occupied by Department staff where rent is paid. The rent in each case is fixed but where there is both a desire to continue to use the building in question and where there is a provision for an imminent rent review, I can inform the Deputy that my Department will be negotiating for a significant downwards review. In some cases, this process has already been initiated well in advance of the formal review date with a view to reducing over expenditure in this area.