Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

248. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department and all bodies under his Department’s aegis have reviewed their estates' portfolio in the context of identifying unoccupied buildings that may be suitable for use in the context of meeting the accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. [54216/22]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Finance the number and type of unused and or unoccupied buildings in his Department’s estates’ portfolio and all bodies under his Department’s aegis. [54234/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that occupied premises under my Department's remit are leased through the Office of Public Works, and therefore are not owned by my Department.

I can assure the Deputy that there are no properties vacant under my Department’s remit, this includes shared accommodations with other Government Departments. All properties are currently in use and occupied by officers employed by the Department of Finance.

The properties outlined below are occupied by my Department and are in use:

- Government Buildings, Merrion Street, Dublin 2

- 14-16 Merrion Street, Dublin 2

- 1^stFloor, Miesian Plaza, Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

As the deputy will be aware, the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) does not generally own properties, rather NAMA acquired loans for which the properties act as security. Secured properties remain in the ownership and control of their registered owners, or appointed receivers in the event of enforcement. I am advised that NAMA reviews its portfolio on an ongoing basis and monitors vacancy levels in order to assess properties for potential social housing purposes.

During 2022, NAMA reviewed its secured portfolio for properties that may be suitable for use for the Government’s requirements for accommodating people arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. Due to the dynamic nature of its reducing secured portfolio, including properties being prepared for sale, contracted for sale or currently occupied/let, NAMA did not identify any suitable, vacant residential accommodation.

While NAMA does not own residential properties, it ensures that its debtors and receivers keep vacant periods in residential properties to a minimum. I am advised that close to 100% of all secured residential units are occupied, with only 4 vacant and habitable units currently within NAMA’s secured portfolio, and with all 4 currently in the process of being sold. This figure is at a point in time and reflects some of the frictional short term vacancy typical in a functioning property portfolio.

The remaining bodies under the aegis of my Department have advised that they do not have unused or unoccupied buildings which may be suitable for use in the context of meeting the accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the Ukraine.