Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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305. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the transfer of ownership of publicly funded assets (details supplied) to non-public bodies such as charities, religious orders, corporate bodies and so on complies with his Department's value for money and policy review initiative guidance manual and its aim as part of the framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure and the need to safeguard public assets funded by the taxpayer. [22875/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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306. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the transfer of ownership of publicly funded assets to non-public bodies such as charities, religious orders, corporate bodies and so on; and his further plans to seek either the return of all such assets or full value in consideration for the transfer of such assets. [22876/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.

The transfer of ownership of publicly funded assets to non-public bodies should be conducted in accordance with State Property Circulars 11/2015 Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets and 17/2016 Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property.

The general approach to the management of assets, including property, held by the State and its agencies is that it is the responsibility of the individual Department or agency to optimise value for money for the State.

The Public Spending Code supersedes the Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative Guidance Manual.  The Public Spending Code is the comprehensive set of expenditure appraisal and value for money requirements and related guidance covering all public expenditure and economic appraisal and evaluation techniques.  All Government Departments, public bodies and all bodies in receipt of public funding must comply, as appropriate, with the relevant requirements of the Public Spending Code.

The general rule as set out in Public Financial Procedures is that Departments are required to have asset management systems in place which ensure that assets are acquired only when needed, are adequately controlled and maintained, are properly safeguarded and disposed of, and that utilisation is monitored.

It is important to note that while my Department sets out the value for money rules and guidance through the Public Spending Code and Public Financial Procedures, the transfer or disposal of a specific state asset is the responsibility of the relevant Minister and Department in the first instance.