asked the Minister for Communications the buildings and sites in the ownership of his Department; the locations of same; if they are at present in use by his Department; if not, the use which is proposed for them; when it is envisaged to utilise the site or building; the proposals, if any, there are to dispose of the buildings or sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Department Properties.
55.
The only property owned by the Minister for Communications is the General Post Office, Dublin 1. The vast bulk of the property is occupied and used by An Post and Bord Telecom Éireann under the terms of a licence granted by the Minister for Communications, with the consent of the Minister for Finance to An Post for a period of 50 years from 1 January 1984. The remainder of the property comprises a number of retail shop units, which are held on long-term leases. There are no proposals for disposal of the property.
56.
asked the Minister for Energy the buildings and sites in the ownership of his Department; the locations of same; if they are at present in use by his Department; if not, the use which is proposed for them; when it is envisaged to utilise the site or building; the proposals, if any, there are to dispose of the buildings or sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The forest service of my Department owns a wide variety of buildings within or in the vicinity of various forest units throughout the country. With the exception of those indicated below, all of these are used for forestry or amenity purposes. These buildings comprise:
1. General Buildings — Two training centres, one research laboratory, two sawmills, four machinery workshops, 14 nursery buildings.
2. Houses — 40 houses which were built for use of forester staff. Three of these are surplus to present requirements and will be offered for sale.
3. Castles and Mansions — There are three such units which are on lands acquired for forestry purposes. One is held by a company under a long term lease and is being operated as a hotel. Another has been advertised for leasing and offers received are at present under consideration. A third will be advertised for disposal when title registration is completed.
4. Amenity Buildings — there are 51 buildings within the 12 forest service parks. These consist of 22 in a forest chalet complex, 22 used as offices and stores, six leased as shops or restaurants and one which is leased for cultural purposes.
Sites: some areas of land originally acquired for forestry are later found to have a site value for other purposes. About 50 such sites are being disposed of at present. Some time ago I initiated a general survey of all forestry properties with a view to establishing a definitive programme for the identification and disposal of parcels of land having a special value of this kind.