Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
431. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the OPW Jamestown Road workshop, its current utilisation and future utilisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16089/23]
View answerThe property at Jamestown Road, Dublin, comprising an area of 7.1 acres, is currently used by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as a Building Maintenance Services (BMS) Metalworks Workshop and for the storage of furniture, archaeological salvage and events items. The property is registered to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW).
In 2006, the ownership of the site was transferred to Dublin City Council (DCC) with a view to developing it for social and affordable housing. Following the completion of site investigations, the housing development did not take place. This was primarily due to ground conditions on the site arising from its historic use as an engineering workshop; and the site subsequently reverted to the Commissioners of Public Works in 2018. The OPW's operations continued on the site throughout the change of ownership.
More recently, the site has been identified for inclusion in a significant housing development by the Land Development Agency (LDA) of the lands around the site. Discussions are ongoing between the OPW and the LDA as well as with the other semi-State owners of the adjacent lands. The future long-term development plans will require advance re-location of the OPW operations currently on the site.
