Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

920 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a property at Myshall, County Carlow, is now in the ownership of his Department; his intentions in relation to the development of the property; if it will be developed in the short-term; if it will be used for the care and treatment of people with autism; the value of the property at the time of purchase; its value now; if the property is in a good state of repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20419/03]

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

The process of transferring the property at Myshall, County Car low, from my Department to the South-Eastern Health Board is currently being finalised. My Department has written to the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board to request that consideration be given to undertaking a feasibility study in relation to the lands and buildings at Myshall in order to determine how the health services could maximise the benefits of this acquisition. However, it is my understanding that there will be significant capital costs associated with whatever use is made of the property. As the property in question was purchased by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, my Department does not have details of the purchase costs.