Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
188. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to outline the policy guidance, if any, that he has issued to the HSE with respect to unused or underused buildings such as old dispensaries that would not be suitable as residences; if he will consider allowing any such buildings to be used by local communities where a need for facilities such as community hubs exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51313/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the HSE already has in place protocols governing the disposal of properties which are identified as surplus to health requirements.
The HSE Protocol for the Acquisition and Disposal of Property sets out the procedures to be followed when the HSE acquires or disposes of a property interest. This protocol fully reflects the requirements of DPENDR Circulars on the disposal of surplus property.
HSE’s Protocol for the Acquisition and Disposal of Property satisfies the obligations of Section 53 of the Land Development Agency Act 2021.
When the HSE identifies a health property and/or land surplus to health requirements, the HSE Protocol for the Acquisition and Disposal of Property sets out the following hierarchy for the disposal of HSE surplus properties:
1. Land Development Agency – The property is first offered to the LDA. If the LDA has no requirement for the property the next level is to offer the property via the State Property Register.
2. Intra-State Transfer – The property is offered via the State Property Register to other State entities and the Local Authority in the area. If there is no State stakeholder interest the property may be disposed on the open market.
3. Open Market – The property is offered to the open market in line with the Property Protocol - Public auction, Sealed bid tender, Open competition.
In addition to the above and sharing details of those properties surplus to health needs with the local authorities, the HSE has, on a number occasions in 2022 and 2023, provided a full list of properties surplus to health requirements to both the Department of Housing and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This list of properties was provided to the above Departments as part of the HSE's ongoing engagement with both Housing For All and the whole-of-government response to the provision of accommodation for Ukraine refugees.
