A total of £21 million has been spent by the Office of Public Works for seven properties bought to accommodate asylum-seekers but two may now be used for other purposes.
The OPW bought the seven premises in 2000 and so far only one has reached completion and is housing asylum-seekers.
The seven properties are Broc House, Nutley Lane, Dublin, for £7.2 million; Cork Airport Hotel, £3.2 million; Parnell West Hotel, Dublin, £2.9 million; Lynch's Lodge, Macroom, £2.9 million; Johnstown Marina Hotel, Tralee, £2.5 million; Devereux House Hotel, Rosslare, £2.1 million; and Ionad Follain, Myshall, £1.05 million.
The Department of Justice is reconsidering the use of Devereux House Hotel because of local controversy. It is likely to be used in the asylum programme but for offices, not accommodation.
The Autism Society of Ireland has expressed an interest in buying the Ionad Follain property. The Parnell West Hotel is being used by asylum-seekers and the remaining properties are being renovated to house them also. Yesterday, Minister of State Mr Martin Cullen, at the launch of the OPW annual report 2000, said the total turnover for the OPW in 2000 was just short of £500 million. Mr Cullen acknowledged that the rate of expenditure had increased in the current year and the OPW's total live portfolio was closer to £1 billion.