Vol. 559 No. 1
69 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date by the Office of Public Works in its examination of the State property portfolio with a view to identifying vacant, under-utilised or surplus property; when he expects that the examination will be concluded; if consideration is being given in the examination of the crucial need of local authorities to acquire sites for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25561/02]
The first phase of the audit of the State portfolio with the purpose of identifying vacant, under-utilised or surplus properties is in progress. With an estimated 1,700 properties throughout the country the process will take a number of months to complete. Following the audit, any properties found to be in sub-optimal usage will be subjected to a full evaluation of their potential. The guiding principle in any programme of disposal/redevelopment will be based on achieving the best return to the State and the taxpayer. Decisions regarding the use of any properties deemed surplus to requirement will await the outcome of the evaluation process.
