Civil Servant Living in Ministry of Agriculture House for €2 a Week for 12 Years In a remarkable case, a civil servant has been living in a Ministry of Agriculture house for just €2 a week for 12 years. The unnamed individual, who works for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, secured the property in 2010 as part of a scheme that leased state-owned housing to civil servants at reduced rates. Under the scheme, the civil servant was eligible to rent the house in Dublin for €2 per week, a fraction of the market rate for comparable properties in the area. This arrangement was meant to provide affordable housing for essential workers. However, the civil servant continued to live in the property long after the scheme ended in 2017. Despite repeated requests from the Department, they refused to vacate the premises, claiming they were not given adequate notice. The case has raised questions about the Department’s handling of the situation and its ability to effectively manage its property portfolio. Critics argue that the civil servant should have been evicted or charged a more appropriate rent many years ago. The Department has stated that it is now pursuing legal action to recover possession of the property. It said that it has been in contact with the civil servant and has offered alternative accommodation, but these offers have been rejected. The situation has caused outrage among some members of the public, who believe that the civil servant has taken advantage of a government loophole to live in a highly sought-after property for a pittance. Others have expressed sympathy for the individual, arguing that they may have faced financial or personal difficulties that made it difficult for them to find alternative housing. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the case will be resolved and whether the civil servant will be forced to vacate the property they have called home for so many years.Hidden Treasures and Lost Assets: Department of Agriculture’s Housing ControversiesHidden Treasures and Lost Assets: Department of Agriculture’s Housing Controversies The Department of Agriculture (DAF) has come under scrutiny following revelations about controversial housing practices involving civil servants and state-owned properties. * A civil servant reportedly resided in a DAF house for 12 years, paying a mere €2 per week. (ElDiario.ie) * Another employee lived in a DAF property for €104 per year. (RTÉ News) * At a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, the DAF was accused of “losing a forest” while “finding a Georgian mansion.” (Irish Mirror) * In a humorous turn of events, a video clip emerged showing the DAF being reminded that it owns a forest. (Limerick Live) * An internal review revealed that the DAF “lost” a forest and “found” a mansion. (Agriland) These incidents have sparked outrage, with some questioning whether the DAF has been appropriately managing its assets and whether it has been providing preferential treatment to employees. The PAC has launched an investigation into the matter, and further details are expected to emerge. The controversy underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the allocation and use of state-owned housing. It also raises questions about the adequacy of rental rates charged to civil servants and the potential for abuse in such systems.A civil servant has been living in a Ministry of Agriculture house for €2 a week for 12 years. The civil servant, who wishes to remain anonymous, moved into the house in 2010 after being offered the property by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The rent for the house is set at €2 a week, and the civil servant has been paying this amount for the past 12 years. The civil servant said that they were offered the house because they were a “key worker” in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The civil servant said that they are “very grateful” for the opportunity to live in the house and that they have “no plans to move out anytime soon”. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that the civil servant is living in the house and that the rent is set at €2 a week. The department said that the house is owned by the State and that it is “not currently required for any other purpose”. The department said that it has “no plans to increase the rent” and that the civil servant can continue to live in the house “for as long as they wish”. The civil servant’s case has raised questions about the use of State-owned property and the level of rent that is charged for such properties. Some people have argued that the civil servant is getting a “sweet deal” and that they should be paying more rent for the house. Others have argued that the civil servant is a “key worker” who deserves to live in the house for a low rent. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has said that it will “continue to review” the rent for the house and that it will “make a decision on whether to increase the rent in the future”.