Cathal Crowe
Question:304. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the acquisition of the former Inagh Garda station by an organisation (details supplied) [4989/22]
View answerTuesday, 1 February 2022
Questions (304)
Written answers
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that all surplus properties, including the former Garda station at Inagh are treated in line with the disposal policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The OPW policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:
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 (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).
The OPW sought alternative State uses in line with the above policy and in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets. (DPER Circular 11/15). Clare County Council expressed an interest in acquiring the former Garda station property and the OPW sought a valuation from the Valuation Office. On receipt of the valuation, the property was offered to the Council for sale.
Clare County Council subsequently advised the OPW that Inagh Voluntary Housing Association was the party interested in acquiring the property and requested that the OPW transfer the property directly to the Housing Association.
However, voluntary housing associations are not prescribed State Bodies governed by the Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets (DPER Circular 11/15). Therefore, in the absence of an agreed proposal from a State body to acquire the property, the OPW must dispose of the former Garda station on the open market in an open and transparent manner. The OPW will inform Inagh Voluntary Housing Association of when the auction of the property will take place, so that it will have the opportunity to bid on the day.
In the meantime, if the Council or other State body expresses an interest in acquiring the property, in advance of an auction, the OPW will consider an intra-State transfer proposal.