Banks and businesses are among the main buyers for Irish art, and while financial heavyweights like the two main banks have budgets large enough to allow them this luxury, smaller businesses are increasingly becoming important buyers of art.

Creative interiors and art, especially in the reception areas, are increasingly employed by businesses to add style and atmosphere to buildings. The theory holds that a nice working environment gives a better impression to clients and also benefits staff. While there is an abundance of art on the market to suit all budgets, the perceived expense, hassle or lack of expertise may discourage smaller organisations or individuals who just want to purchase a few simple but tasteful pieces.

Finding time to peruse art collections and galleries to locate a piece, or series of works, that suits the particular space, function and budget without a dedicated interior designer can be a problem. Unlike most other office furniture or supplies, compilations of suitable art works don't come in catalogue form. In response to this, lemonstreet Gallery in Dublin has introduced a new corporate service targeting this niche. One of its key services is that its works are available to rent.

"We've introduced a tailored service to suit clients of all budgets. Looking for art can be a logistical nightmare, between rummaging around through galleries and seeing if the work suits the office space. Although art may be included in the building budget, it's not treated like other expenses that fall in this category. Office furniture is purchased through catalogues to suit clients' need, and this is the type of service we're offering," explains Michael O'Reilly, manager and owner of lemonstreet.

A former solicitor and onetime adviser to John Bruton, O'Reilly has been on the board of the National Gallery since 1997, chairing the Finance and Organisation Committee and driving the Gallery's strategic plan.

Located off Grafton Street, to the back of BT2 by the Hibernian Way, lemonstreet has been open just over a year and features graphic visual art - mainly prints such as etchings, lithographs, screen prints and so on.

lemonstreet Gallery was custom designed by Mahony Architecture as a graphics gallery with contemporary sliding panels for uncluttered vertical display of artwork. Part of the corporate service designed by O'Reilly includes providing a catalogue of available works - stock currently exceeds 2000 pieces by over 175 contemporary Irish and international artists - followed up by site visits and presentations that can include space measurements and visual proposals.

Art works will be professionally framed and hung. Architects and interior designers should be especially interested in this service.

While all the works are available for purchase, pieces can be acquired through a hire-purchase scheme over a one, two or three-year lease period and customers have the option to either buy at the end of the lease or change the selection. The service caters for all budgets, but there is a minimum £5,000 (€6,349) excluding VAT spend for hire-purchase or leasing options. Lease rates applicable here are £185 (€234) per £5,000 (€6348), excluding VAT, per month on 12-month deal, £140 (€177) per month on 24-month deal and £112.50 (€142.85) per month on 36-month lease. A deposit of 25 per cent applies similarly to equipment lease terms.

The initial investment costs associated with acquiring a stock of over 2000 works would appear to be substantial. "At the moment, capital is sufficient to fund this venture, although if there is a huge take-up of the lease option, then we'll have to look for bank funding," said O'Reilly. Of 10 fit-outs to date, the average spend by clients is around £3,500 (€4,444). Clients include O'Dwyer's Pub in Stillorgan which had a budget of £2,000 (€2,539); Sorohan Builders, for use in showhomes, with a budget of £5,000 (€6,348); Coopers Cafe in Ballsbridge, whose budget was £1,000 (€1,269); FMI Marketing office, which spent £2,500 (€3,174).

Purchasing art for the office or workplace carries tax benefits, as an annual allowance of 15 per cent of the cost can be redeemed against taxable income and VAT can be reclaimed.