Review urged of HSE buildings rental scheme

PATIENT support groups have called for an overhaul of the HSE’s rental scheme of buildings and land with new figures revealing over €31 million was spent on leases in 2008.

HSE chiefs needed to buy out long-term leases and look at investing funds from renting directly into health care, said the Irish Patients Association (IPA) last night.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner reveal the HSE spent €31.1m leasing land and buildings in 2008. It leased over 2,000 properties in the year.