State paying €400k to rent empty offices after poverty agency shut down

SHUTTING down the Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) did not lead to any significant cost savings, the opposition claimed last night after it emerged the Government is still paying €400,000 in rent for empty offices after the agency moved out.

The Government was once again accused of having political rather than financial motivations for closing down the state agency which tackled poverty and promoted social inclusion for more than 23 years.

The Labour Party said Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin must explain why she did not disclose to the Dáil that her department would continue to pay rent on the building when she introduced legislation to abolish the agency.