CORK/DUBLIN — The planned €26 million cost for a 20-year lease on the new Cork passport office has been branded “staggering” by a local politician, who is questioning the value of renting a premises the State “will never own.”
Séamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central and acting chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC), raised concerns over the expenditure at a recent committee meeting.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) plans to move the public-facing passport service downriver from South Mall to Navigation Square at Albert Quay by autumn 2026. This site was previously earmarked for Cork’s long-delayed Event Centre.
Key Figures Revealed at PAC:
- Total 20-Year Cost: €26 million (including rent, service costs, fit-out, etc.).
- Annual Cost (Average): €1.3 million.
- Annual Rent: €600,000.
- Current Annual Rent (South Mall): €290,000.
Mr. McGrath highlighted that the new annual rent of €600,000 is more than double the current rent. He argued that purchasing a building would provide “far better value for public money” and create a long-term State asset.
The OPW’s Cathleen Morrison defended the decision, telling the PAC that “all options” had been considered to replace the current building, which is “at the end of its life.” She also confirmed that the significant cost increase would result in a “fully modern and sustainable building” that would include passport printing facilities—a significant increase in service capacity for Cork.
Despite welcoming the investment, Mr. McGrath stressed the need for “scrutiny and accountability” on the decision-making process for such a large amount of public funds.
