The use of €3.4 million from the sale of the Health Research Board’s (HRB) former premises is the subject of discussions between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The HRB sold its former premises on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, in May 2023. The agency vacated the premises in 2014, when all staff relocated to a new leased building on Lower Mount Street, according to the HRB’s 2023 financial statements.
A note outlined that the Board ensured arrangements were in place “such that the disposal of the asset was at a fair market-related price following a competitive tendering process”.
Prior sanction for the disposal was obtained from the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The HRB and the Department of Health’s research policy and innovation unit developed a business case to advocate for the retention of these funds to support “priority policy areas” within the Department.
According to the note: “The sale of the property constitutes a windfall gain. In line with Public Financial Procedures the €3,423 million is being treated as repayable to the Exchequer until the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform gives sanction for its retention.”
A Department of Health spokesperson noted that the HRB is the main funder of health research in Ireland and directs funds to support research for the improvement of health outcomes.
The spokesperson said discussions on the funds were “ongoing” with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform “in line with the usual expenditure processes”.
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