Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
278. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a plan has been made for the sale or repurpose of the Dalkey and Kill o' the Grange Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14608/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate - comprising approximately 2,500 properties -– valued at €3.3bn.
This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.
In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of vacant properties. It is normal to have an amount of space vacant, or vacant properties, at any given time as the portfolio could not function without the flexibility that it provides. Not all vacant properties will be deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or deemed suitable for disposal. The OPW has actively pursued its disposal policy over the past number of years. From 2014 to 2021, the OPW has disposed of 128 surplus properties, generating an income in excess of €22m. The disposal programme will continue throughout 2022-2023 for 101 currently surplus properties, with 3 auctions already planned.
The OPW, by default, consults with Local Authorities, the Health Service Executive, Government Departments, the Land Development Agency and other State bodies in relation to any vacant building or site that is surplus to its requirements. The purpose of consultation with other State bodies is to ascertain a State use or a public interest, in advance of a decision to sell on the open market. Over the past number of years, the OPW has facilitated a number of property disposals to other public bodies to help meet challenges in the housing area in particular.
If no State use is identified, the OPW considers if open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions. Alternatively, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.
In line with the above policy, the OPW has sought alternative State use for both the former Garda station properties in Dalkey and Kill o' the Grange.
As no alternative State requirement has been identified for the former Garda station in Dalkey, it is currently being prepared for disposal by public auction.
The former Garda station in Kill O The Grange is transferring to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets. The Chief State Solicitor’s Office has prepared contracts for sale and the OPW and DLRCC are working to complete the transfer over the coming months.
