Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of vacant properties owned by the OPW; the total number of properties which the OPW currently rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4629/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Owned Properties

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties.

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.

In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of vacant or non-operational properties, at any given time, as the portfolio could not function without the flexibility that it provides. Not all vacant properties will be deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or suitable for disposal.

There are currently 67 vacant properties owned or managed by the OPW, consisting of 45 buildings and 22 sites.

Leased Properties

Due to the range of accommodation requirements across Government, it is important for the OPW to maintain a dynamic portfolio, that has flexibility to meet the evolving long term needs of Government, including both leased and owned property.

As a significant component of this portfolio, the OPW currently holds 450 lease and licence agreements, involving 374 properties. These leases are primarily used for office accommodation, storage/warehousing and Garda stations.