Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Stations.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

147 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the large amount of support in Drogheda for having the old Garda station, known as Barlow House (details supplied) and being of national importance, conserved and restored for use as a facility for the community and as a centre for artists and crafts people in the area; and if he will meet with Droichead Arts Centre to hear proposals regarding funding from the INTERREG programme and other local fund raising initiatives. [7987/98]

Michael Bell

Ceist:

148 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, his Department has in relation to Barlow House (formally Drogheda Garda barracks), Drogheda, County Louth; the decision or recommendation, if any, that the Office of Public Works has made in relation to this building which is Drogheda's oldest Georgian building; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Droichead Arts Centre committee has made application and funding proposals to his Department, the Office of Public Works and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and that 12 months have elapsed and a decision has not emerged; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that INTERREG funding will be lost for the project if a decision is not made soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7988/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.

I am aware that Droichead Arts Centre has submitted a proposal that Barlow House, the Garda station in Drogheda, should be allocated to it for development as an annexe to its existing premises in the Municipal Centre building in Drogheda.

I am also aware of the representations made to my predecessor in support of the centre's proposal by local organisations and individuals.

The Office of Public Works, following consideration of the possibility of using the property to meet other State accommodation requirements in Drogheda, had recently decided that the building is not suitable for such purposes and should be disposed of as surplus to the State's property requirements.

The Office of Public Works is currently considering how best to dispose of the property and the proposal from the Droichead Arts Centre will be examined in this context.

I am aware of suggestions that the Droichead Arts Centre INTERREG funding for its proposal may be lost unless it is in a position to show evidence of satisfactory title to the property. This will be borne in mind in considering their proposal. However, I understand that there is no question of such funds being lost in the event that they are decommitted from any specific project.

I have no request for a meeting from the Droichead Arts Centre.