Written answers

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Office of Public Works Properties

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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32. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the State's total financial commitment in each of the past five years to rents on vacant properties; if he will provide an itemised list of all such properties indicating the annual rent specific to each one; the leases that may be ended or broken in 2014; if the State plans to cease rental of any such properties in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9410/14]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Commissioners of Public Works, who hold and manage the Civil Service and Garda property portfolio, have had very little vacant leased office space in the last 5 years. This is due to an ongoing property rationalisation programme which has resulted in over 1.1 million square feet of office space being surrendered in the 5 years to the end of 2013. Since 2008, the Commissioners have surrendered 249 leases and reduced the annual office rental bill from €130 million in 2009 to €97 million in 2014.

The Commissioners currently hold 394 leases, with one vacant leased office premises in Naas at an annual rent of €41,000. This premises was previously occupied by the Department of Agriculture and Food and was vacated in November 2013. It is now under active consideration for alternative use.

The Commissioners hold one vacant leased former Garda Station at Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. This was deemed surplus by the Gardai in December 2012. The annual rent is €14,000. If no alternative use can be identified for this premises it will be surrendered at the next lease break in 2017.

The Commissioners have no information on property held by other State Bodies. For commercial reasons the Commissioners cannot disclose the leases targeted for surrender in 2014.

Summary of OPW vacant leased properties since 2011 and associated rental costs:

20102011201220132014
NilSligo, Waterfront Hse. Social Protection vacated end 2010.

Surrendered 30/6/2011.


Rent Jan-June 2011: €97,300
Phoenix Hse, Conyngham Rd, Dublin.

Vacated by Dept of Health Aug 2011.


Rent Aug 2011 -Nov 2012: €365,000


Allocated to ISI

9.11.2012
Ballymore Eustace former Garda Station. Deemed surplus Dec 2012.


Annual rent €14,000.
Naas, Spring Garden Hse, vacated by Agriculture November 2013


Annual rent €41,000


Under active consideration for alternative use.

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