Vol. 519 No. 1
119 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Finance the price agreed by his Department with the owners of Ionad Folláin in Myshall, County Carlow; the highest bid offered by the Irish Society for Autism at the auction; and the plans his Department has to continue bidding against charitable organisations. [13193/00]
The property of Myshall, Carlow, was offered to the Office of Public Works following an advertisement in the national press in January 2000 seeking suitable properties for the purpose of housing asylum seekers. The property was assessed as being suitable for the purpose proposed.
The Directorate for Asylum Support Services, after inspecting the property, instructed my office to pursue the acquisition of Ionad Folláin for use as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. The Office of Public Works and the proprietor entered negotiations for the purchase of the property and these culminated in the signing of the contract by both parties. In line with normal practice, I do not propose to release the details on price until the transaction is fully completed.
