Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are plans to sell the former Dalkey Garda station site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/24]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the Office of Public Works (OPW) like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties including former Garda station properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) 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 is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.
The OPW 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).
In line with the above policy and in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets. (DPENDPR Circular 11/15) the OPW sought alternative State use by offering the property to all relevant State Bodies.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council evaluated the properties for their potential to convert into residential accommodation but determined that the cost of refurbishment for this purpose, given the protective nature, would be prohibitive.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth considered the properties under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded Refurbishment Programme, managed by the Local Government Management Agency. However, due to the protective nature and cost of refurbishment, funding was not approved.
As no alternative State use has been identified, the OPW is proceeding to dispose of the former Garda station properties.
The former Garda station properties at Tubbermore Road and Sorrento Road, Dalkey are scheduled to be advertised for sale nationally within the next two weeks and will be presented for auction in the last two weeks of June.
