Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the events by community groups, both local and national, that have been granted use of Kilmainham Gaol by the OPW for the past five years. [51783/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The attached File gives details of events by community groups, both local and national that have been granted use of Kilmainham Gaol by the Commissioners of Public Works over the past five years, after engaging with the site's permission process, providing proof of Insurance and other necessary documentation in order to receive approval to proceed.

www.data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-10-21_pq184-21-10-21_en.pdf

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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185. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is normal practice for the Office of Public Works to provide premises or building space, rent free to private not-for-profit organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51869/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate - comprising approximately 2,500 properties -– valued at over €3bn.

This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.

Given the size of the portfolio and the range of building types, it is normal for the OPW to enter into legal arrangements and agreements for the occupation of its property with a wide range of occupiers. Such occupier types range from non-profit community and voluntary groups, administrative, sporting, educational, health and cultural organisations among others.   

For example, the closure of certain Garda stations provided an opportunity to license these properties to a range of community/voluntary non-profit groups.  In addition, the OPW has historically provided accommodation for cultural organisations such as the National Print Museum and the Labour History Museum, as well as making land and pitches available to a range of sporting bodies, or leasing land to the farming community for grazing or tilling.

In general, these agreements are on the basis that the organisations are in a position to fully insure, repair and maintain the properties in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.  The question of charging rent is influenced by factors that include historical arrangements and the nature of the occupier and its activities. 

Similar to local authorities, the OPW has historically sought to optimise the use of its property, that would otherwise cost the State, in a way that supports the property needs of certain non-profit organisations, where it is feasible to do so and where it has been determined that the property will be retained in the portfolio for the foreseeable future.