Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 253: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the number of properties that her Department is currently leasing from property landlords along with the location of same; the number of these lease agreements that contain upward only rent review clauses; the cost arising from these rents; the efforts that are being made by her Department to ensure that these rents are operating at a sustainable level in the current business and economic environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13559/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy.

However, the cost of renting office property for my Department is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, who act on behalf of Government Departments in relation to the rental/lease of office accommodation. The terms of the leases are a matter for OPW.

In relation to schools, my Department generally grant aids Boards of Management to rent temporary school accommodation, where the need arises. The terms of leases are a matter for the Boards of Management of these schools.