John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of premises and sites being rented or leased not currently in use and the cost of maintenance and security on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39806/10]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of premises and sites rented or leased by his Department; the location of same; if they are currently in use and the cost for 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39821/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.

My 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, Mullingar is the operational location for the Department's Disability Activation Project which is funded by the European Social Fund. This building is currently in use.

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 my Department, to form the new Social Inclusion Division, which subsequently transferred to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs on 1 May 2010.

The Department has exercised an option to break out of the 21-year lease by March 2011, and is currently in the process of applying the necessary measures in order to return possession of the property. Staff were relocated from Bridgewater Business Centre in October 2009. The maintenance and security costs for 2010 to date is €14,631. The premises costs, including rent, rates, insurance, maintenance, etc for 2008 and 2009, in respect of the above buildings are set out in the table below.