Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

446 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the instructions he has given the Office of Public Works regarding his Department's requirements for a property (details supplied) in County Carlow; his views on whether the cost of ?1.33 million in July 2000 is value for money; the reason it has been vacant since its purchase; the maintenance costs on the property since 2000; the security and insurance costs; if his Department or the Office of Public Works is carrying the costs; his plans with the South Eastern Health Board for the full use of the property; if he has had meetings with the South Eastern Health Board or another body in an effort to provide services from the property or develop it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11678/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

As the Deputy is aware, the property in question was originally purchased by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and as such my Department was not involved in discussions regarding purchase costs.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform initially purchased this property for the purposes of providing accommodation for asylum seekers. When that Department formally notified the Office of Public Works that it was not its intention to use the property, discussions took place between my Department, the South Eastern Health Board and the Office of Public Works in relation to the future use of the property by the health services.

For legal reasons, it was not possible to transfer the ownership of the property directly to the South Eastern Health Board. The legal measures necessary to transfer the property to my Department have now been completed and the process of transferring ownership to the board is nearing completion.

My Department has no information in relation to the costs incurred by the Office of Public Works in relation to the property in question. However, expenditure to date by my Department is €18,606.36. My Department is discussing with the South Eastern Health Board various options in relation to the use of the property in the context of the development of their support services.