Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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369. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if during each of the years 2005 to 2016, and to date in 2017, the OPW rented out properties owned by it for which it received no rent; the details of the properties concerned; the dates they were rented from; the rent that was not paid to the OPW; and the reason for same in tabular form. [25699/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The majority of property owned by the Office of Public Works, is occupied by central Government Departments and An Garda Síochána, who do not pay rent to the OPW. The OPW, however, does generate rental income from a mix of non-central Government, and private sector occupants. The projected income from these occupants in respect of rent and licences in 2017 is c. €4.2m. Nearly 60% of the expected rental income relates to income from licence fees for telecommunications masts. The remaining rental income comes from tenants that are non-central Government clients of the OPW.

These tenants can be split into two categories - those that generate a rent and those that are intentionally leased or licensed at a nominal rent.

Those occupants that pay rent for OPW-owned properties include state bodies, sporting clubs, crèches and a number of private sector tenants. A number of farmers also rent grazing land primarily around heritage/historic properties.

Properties that are, in the main, leased or licensed to Community Groups - including former Garda Stations, Schools and properties no longer needed for their original function - are generally occupied rent free.

As is the nature of management of a large property portfolio, there are a small number of tenants in arrears with rent, and a number of tenants in legal dispute with the State over varying issues relating to occupancy.

The OPW is currently conducting a review of its rented properties to ensure that all rents are appropriately collected in accordance with the relevant leases/licences.