Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
563. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by her Department; her plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55050/23]
View answerMy Department owns two properties - Thornton Hall in Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin and Westview House in Cork City.
Westview House is under the custodianship of the Probation service and is currently vacant. I am informed that the Local Authority have indicated that they have no interest in the site or the property. My Department is actively engaged with colleagues in The Probation Service to explore alternative solutions for the use of the property.
The site at Thornton Hall was purchased by the State in 2005 for a new prison development that did not proceed at that time. There are no plans to build prison accommodation at the site at this time, however, the Irish Prison Service retains a strong strategic interest in the site for the possible future expansion of the prison estate.
