Pa Daly
Question:54. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to the proposed disposal of the former Garda station at Brosna, County Kerry. [36585/21]
View answerWednesday, 7 July 2021
Questions (54)
Written answers
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that all vacant properties, including any former Garda stations are disposed of in line with the OPW's policy on surplus property.
The policy is to firstly identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement. This would be subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer.
As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use.
Following the recent announcement of additional funding by the Minister for Rural and Community Development for town and village renewal, the OPW wrote to Kerry County Council asking the Council if it wished to consider taking the property under lease and availing of the funding to transform these properties for community purposes.
To-date, the Council has not confirmed an interest in acquiring the property and, given that no alternative State use has been identified, the OPW is preparing the former Garda station at Brosna for disposal on the open market by public auction. This is planned to take place early in 2022, subject to developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.