An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Questions (393, 404)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

393. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of disused Garda stations in counties Longford and Westmeath. [27452/23]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

404. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the disposal of disused Garda stations in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27453/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 404 together.

I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that, during 2012 and 2013, 139 Garda stations were closed as part of An Garda Síochána’s rationalisation programme. The table below outlines the Garda stations in counties Longford and Westmeath that were closed as part of this programme and the current status of each.

-	County	Property	Current Status
1.	Longford	Former Garda Station, Ardagh	Being prepared for disposal by public auction - 2023
2.	Longford	Former Garda Station, Ballinalee	Being prepared for disposal by public auction - 2024, subject to resolution of title issues
3.	Longford	Former Garda Station, Newtowncashel	Sold by public auction - 24/04/2014
4.	Westmeath	Former Garda Station, Ballinahowan	Sold by private treaty - 22/01/2016
5.	Westmeath	Former Garda Station, Castletown Geoghegan	Sold by private treaty - 28/01/2022
6.	Westmeath	Former Garda Station, Rathowen	Sold by private treaty - 25/06/2015

The Office of Public Works (OPW), like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) Circulars:

• Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets

• Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property

As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.

The OPW’s policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:

1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.

2. 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.

3. 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).

As no alternative State use has been identified for the former Garda stations at Ardagh and Ballinalee, both properties are currently being prepared for disposal on the open market, in line with the aforementioned policy.