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Ukraine War

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (569)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

569. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the former Garda station at Lissycasey, County Clare; and if the Office of Public Works have given consideration to this building being used to accommodate refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20443/22]

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Written answers

The OPW is actively engaged with a range of Government departments and agencies as an integral part of a whole of Government response to supporting new arrivals from the Ukraine to the State.

A recent review of the property portfolio has been undertaken to establish the potential availability of accommodation for such use and the measures that would need to be taken to render them suitable for residential purposes.  The OPW will continue to respond urgently and flexibly to requests for assistance from the relevant Departments managing the humanitarian situation, as it evolves.

In relation to Lissycasey Garda Station, specifically, this property was held by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW) under a lease dated March 1915 for a period of 99 years and was occupied by An Garda Síochána until they vacated in 2013.

The Commissioners, as tenant in occupation, have invoked their statutory right to purchase the freehold under the Landlord and Tenant Ground Rents Act 1967, as amended by the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978 and the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 2019.  It is anticipated that this legal process will be finalised in the coming weeks.

On completion of the legalities outlined above, the OPW would be happy to include the property for consideration by the Departments of Housing and Children as accommodation for Ukranian refugees. The property is currently in a poor state of repair and would require extensive refurbishment to meet current residential building standards.

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