Vol. 557 No. 1
94 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the State-owned properties and sites it is intended to sell off in regard to the recent comments made by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21280/02]
The Commissioners of Public Works are currently engaged in an examination of the State property portfolio with a view to identifying vacant, under-utilised or surplus properties. When the results of the examination are available a full evaluation of the potential of the properties identified will be carried out. As part of the evaluation, a range of options will be assessed, including direct disposal on the open market; the possibility of joint development with private developers; the possibility of swapping the sites for developed accommodation elsewhere to meet specific State requirements; direct development of the sites by the State using State funding; and the use of the funds from direct disposal to finance other State projects.
The guiding principle in any programme of disposal/redevelopment of properties undertaken by the Commissioners of Public Works will be based on ensuring that the potential of the properties is maximised, thereby securing the best return to the State and the taxpayer. Until the evaluation process is completed no decisions will be made on specific properties or sites.
