IDA Ireland is to sell 20 properties, including premises in Dublin and Galway, as part of the continuing disposal of its buildings portfolio. The disposals are expected to raise in excess of £10 million.

The sales, by private treaty, are aimed at investors, as they are properties which are already let to companies who do not wish to purchase them outright. The move is in line with a Government decision in 1996 that the State should minimise its involvement in ownership of industrial buildings and that the private sector should take a more active role in providing industrial property, according to Mr Conal Harvey, manager of property, IDA Ireland.

Since 1996, all IDA owned leased property has been offered for sale to the occupiers.