Management of property portfolio

Video of Leeson Lane should go in here

The OPW manages a significant part of the State’s property portfolio and provides accommodation for government departments and agencies in 531 buildings (of which 266 are State-owned, with 325 leases in place in the balance of 265 buildings. This office accommodation portfolio has a total floor area of 866,923m2of which almost 60% (516,717m2) is State owned.

The OPW’s objective is to hold, manage and maintain a property portfolio that is flexible, adaptable and aligned to Government delivery needs in terms of size, location, specification, value for money and optimum utilisation.

Property Management – Owned Estate

The Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of the State, owns and manages a large, diverse property portfolio which ranges from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitor centres, Garda stations, former coastguard stations and customs posts. Property Management – Owned Estate operates as custodian of many of these properties ensuring that the State’s property rights are managed and protected.

The OPW actively engages with other State bodies in identifying surplus properties that may be suitable for alternative State use.

Decisions around retention or disposal of surplus owned properties are informed by (i) strategic location or future use, (ii) planned income derived from disposals that may be reinvested in line with the overall estate strategy.

Other considerations include:

• Potential for alternative use by State bodies and local authorities, in addition to considering community use.
• Strategically retaining certain properties for development in the future.
• Providing income to the State
• Reducing ongoing repair and maintenance costs to the Exchequer.

The administration of the Waiver Programme for property of dissolved companies is managed by the OPW on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.