Government's annual rental spend over €270k questioned

The government is paying out over €120,000 per year on leasing a property for 15 staff in a Cavan town office. Figures obtained from the OPW show that the government rent three premises for a staff of 60 at a cost to the tax payer of €273,343.30. None of the leases are subject to 'upward only' rent review clauses. A total of €122,200 per year is paid to landlords Noel and Katherine Elliot for offices at Newcourt Shopping Centre, Cavan town, used by the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Social Protection. In the office, measuring 648 sq mts, the Revenue has nine staff and the Department of Social Protection six. Full story in this week's Anglo-Celt.