Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2005
270 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the history of the State’s ownership of Broc House; if he has lobbied or advised in any way to have the purpose of its purchase as a centre of asylum seekers put aside; if it will now be used for the purpose for which it was purchased; the insurance and security costs of the house to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2509/05]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works, acting on behalf of the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, purchased Broc House in June 2000, for the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers. Following the purchase, judicial review proceedings were initiated against the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Minister for Finance and the Attorney General by local residents who contended, inter alia, that the proposed use was in contravention of the planning permission attaching to the premises. Pending the outcome of the proceedings, the RIA was unable to place asylum seekers in Broc House and alternative arrangements had to be made. Judgment in favour of the respondents was delivered on 30 April 2004.
As the local residents had initiated legal proceedings to determine the validity of the planning permission in force in respect of the premises, with the result that the matter fell to be adjudicated upon by the High Court, the question of my advising or lobbying on its use did not arise. The RIA conducts regular reviews of its accommodation portfolio to determine future requirements. In a review which was finalised in September 2004, the RIA determined that Broc House with other properties acquired for the accommodation of asylum seekers was no longer required having regard to the significant downward trend in the number of asylum applications, the development of regional accommodation and self catering centres, and the likely expenditure which the OPW indicated would have to be incurred in bringing the building up to current regulatory standards. At that time, the then East Coast Area Health Board, now part of the Health Service Executive, expressed an interest in acquiring Broc House for use as a community based health facility in conjunction with the development of the St. Vincent's Hospital complex and the matter is currently the subject of negotiations between the Health Service Executive and the Commissioners of Public Works.
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the total security and related costs incurred to date in the protection of this State asset stands at €585,000 and that no costs were incurred in relation to insurance. Finally and for the sake of completion, I should add that since 2000 to date asylum seekers have been placed in a total of seven centres in the Dublin 2, 4 and 6 areas, that is, Camden Street, Morehampton Road and Ranelagh.
