Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1234: To ask the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32856/10]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1289: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented, if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32841/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 1234 and 1289 together.

The Department is currently renting two premises — Office Suites 1-3, Bridgewater Business Centre, Islandbridge, Dublin 8; and the Community Social Services Centre Bishopsgate, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The Community Social Services Centre is the operational location for the Department's Disability Activation Project which is funded by the European Social Fund. The premises comprise ground floor offices and a training room and also includes 5 car parking spaces.

The lease on the premises commenced on 1 June 2008 and is due to expire on 31 December 2010. The lease is subject to renegotiation after that date. The annual rent amounts to €24,000 per annum. The Bridgewater Business Centre was originally leased by the Combat Poverty Agency in April 1996 for a period of 21 years. From 1 July 2009, the Combat Poverty Agency integrated with the former Office for Social Inclusion within the Department, to form the new Social Inclusion Division, which subsequently transferred to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs on 1 May 2010. Staff were relocated from Bridgewater Business Centre in October 2009.

The Department has exercised an option to break out of the lease by March 2011, and is currently in the process of applying the necessary measures in order to vacate the property. The Department pays an annual rent inclusive of car parking of €228,000 for Bridgewater Business Centre, for a space occupation of 7,885 sq. ft. Remaining annual service and utility charges are €50,000 approx.