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Garda Stations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Ceisteanna (323)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

323. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 548 of 21 April 2021, if he will provide a schedule of the 40 former Garda stations that are flagged for disposal and or alternative use; the company that will be used to conduct the planned auctions; and if he will provide a further schedule of the stations that will be included in the auction. [22161/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works (OPW) plans to dispose of 28 of the 40 former Garda stations closed in 2012 and 2013 as part of An Garda Síochána’s rationalisation programme and remaining in State ownership by auction in 2021 and 2022.

In addition to the sale of the 28 former Garda stations the OPW plans to transfer three former Garda stations to Local Authorities, lease a further three to a Local Authority for community use and licence five directly to community groups. One former Garda station is sale agreed and is scheduled to close in the next couple of weeks.

 A schedule of the above is provided in Appendix A.

Former Garda Stations Closed Under the 2012 and 2013 Policing Plans (40)

No

County

Property

Current Status

1

Clare

Broadford

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

2

Clare

Doonbeg

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

3

Clare

Inagh

Under consideration by Clare County Council

4

Clare

Lahinch

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

5

Cork

Adrigole

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

6

Cork

Ballyfeard

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

7

Cork

Ballygurteen

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

8

Cork

Goleen

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

9

Cork

Knocknagree

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

10

Donegal

Malin

Under consideration by Donegal County Council

11

Donegal

Cloghan

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

12

Dublin

Dalkey

Being prepared for disposal by auction - 2021 / 2022

13

Dublin

Kill O'The Grange

Under consideration by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

14

Galway

Ballymoe

Under consideration for community use

15

Galway

Kiltullagh

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

16

Galway

Leenane

Sale Agreed

17

Kildare

Ballytore

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

18

Kerry

Brosna

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

19

Kerry

Kilgarvan

Under consideration for community use

20

Kerry

Moyvane

Under consideration for community use

21

Leitrim

Dromahair

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

22

Leitrim

Drumkeeran

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

23

Leitrim

Keshcarrigan

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

24

Limerick

Castletown Conyers

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

25

Limerick

Galbally

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

26

Limerick

Kilfinane

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

27

Limerick

Shanagolden

Being prepared for disposal by auction - November  2021

28

Longford

Ardagh

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

29

Longford

Ballinalee

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

30

Mayo

Ballyglass

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

31

Mayo

Blacksod

Under consideration for community use

32

Mayo

Hollymount

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

33

Monaghan

Newbliss

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

34

Roscommon

Ballintober

Council have agreed to lease property from the CPW

35

Roscommon

Ballyforan

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

36

Roscommon

Knockcroghery

Council have agreed to lease property from the CPW

37

Roscommon

Tarmonbarry

Council have agreed to lease property from the CPW

38

Sligo

Cliffoney

Under consideration for community use

39

Waterford

Ballyduff

Being prepared for disposal by auction - September 2021

40

Wicklow

Hollywood

Being prepared for disposal - 2022

The OPW had a planned disposal programme in place and a number of auctions were planned for 2020.  However, the disposal programme was interrupted due to Covid-19 and associated restrictions meant those auctions had to be rescheduled on a number of occasions.

The OPW plan to hold four auctions later in 2021 but this will be subject to Covid-19 restrictions and may have to be rescheduled again if restrictions continue.  There are currently three auctions planned for 2022. It is also planned to dispose of other surplus properties at these auctions subject to Contracts for Sale being prepared. A schedule of the auction of the 28 properties is provided at Appendix B.

Auctions

As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property. The OPW’s approach to managing vacant properties is firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed either for Government Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties or sites are retained in anticipation of potential State use/development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision.

Secondly, if no State use is identified, the OPW considers if open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions.

Thirdly, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.

Before the former Garda station properties are placed on the market, the services of an auctioneer are procured to manage the marketing strategy and public auction.  All legal aspects of the transactions are managed by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.

O’Donnellan Joyce Auctioneers, following a procurement process, have been appointed to manage the next two auctions of properties in the counties of Galway/Mayo and Donegal.

The procurement of auctioneers for later auctions will take place when there is greater certainty of the timing for these auctions following the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

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