Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 April 2017
207. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the OPW was not receiving rent for the lands it owned in Clonmore, County Tipperary; the reason the Garda College was renting out the land instead of the OPW; if the attention of the OPW was drawn to the fact that since 2007 rent was being paid to the Garda College for the land; and if so, the reason this was allowed to happen. [17231/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW purchased the lands at Clonmore on behalf of the Garda Training College in 2006 and let the lands for 2007 and 2008 through the services of an auctioneer.
For the years 2009 to 2013 the Garda Training College took over the letting of the lands and continued to lease the lands to local farmers. In addition to this, OPW understands, the property was utilised for tactical training purposes and off road driving.
In 2014 the OPW, following discussions with the Garda Training College, took over the responsibility again for the leasing of the lands. OPW’s primary objective was to put in place a longer-term lease with the ultimate objective of improving the quality of the land.
While all rents payable have been received by the State in full, the OPW has held meetings at senior management level with An Garda Síochána to determine if monies collected by them should have more properly been remitted to OPW. OPW are satisfied that An Garda Síochána are fully investigating the issue and will revert appropriately.
