OPW unable to find 34 missing artworks, but no evidence they have been stolen, says minister

Audits found 37 artworks were reported missing from the State Art Collection last year, ranging in value from €100 to €1,150, and three have been recovered

The OPW refused to release any records relating to audits or missing artworks, claiming that this could prejudice the effectiveness of audits and increase the risk of theft by revealing the location of artworks. File photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Three of the 37 artworks that were reported missing from the State Art Collection last year have been recovered, but the location of the 34 others remains unknown, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed.

The minister with responsibility for the OPW has said it would be “premature” to report the disappearance of the artworks to An Garda Síochána, however, as there is currently no evidence that a theft has taken place.

The OPW has only revealed the number of artworks that were reported missing in 2025, and has refused to provide a list of pieces that remain missing from previous years or their estimated value.

This was described as “deeply concerning” by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, who asked the minister for the total number of missing artworks this week without success.

“I asked a very clear question. Why will the minister not tell the Dáil how many pieces of art owned by the State have gone missing? Why will he not provide the list I requested of each missing artwork and their value?” he said.

The OPW’s Art Management Office is responsible for around 13,500 paintings, sculptures, textiles, and other works on display in nearly 500 public buildings around the country.

Last year, the location of 37 artworks could not be established following a series of audits carried out at multiple premises, where a total of 2,633 State-owned pieces were on display.

OPW minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has said 56 audits took place during 2025. However, the OPW has only 17 audit reports relating to that year, according to a schedule of records provided following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

The agency refused to release any records relating to audits or missing artworks, claiming that this could prejudice the effectiveness of audits and increase the risk of theft by revealing the location of artworks.

In a reply to a parliamentary question by Paul Murphy, the minister confirmed that three missing artworks had been located since the last round of audits was completed in December.

He said there is no policy to value the State Art Collection as a whole, and financial valuations are only undertaken on individual artworks where there is a need to insure them when they are placed on loan with external parties or exhibitions.

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In answer to a previous question by Aontú's Peadar Tóibín, Mr Moran said: "The collection includes mainly 20th century Irish works of art as well as works acquired in more recent times, such as paintings, drawings, original prints, watercolours, sculpture, textiles, photographs in addition to multi-media works, music (composition and performances), poetry and applied art such as mosaics and art projects commissioned under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. 

"Artworks are on display in over 500 client buildings across Ireland. The 37 artworks identified as unlocated in the 2025 audit programme range in value from €100 to €1,150, with the majority being valued at under €500."

When an artwork is placed on loan, agreements are signed between the client borrowers and the OPW, he said.