Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
197. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of the OPW disposal of the former Garda station at Ballymore, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe former Garda Station in Ballymoe, Co. Galway was one of the 139 Garda stations identified in An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plans for 2012/2013 as no longer required for operational purposes. The OPW’s policy with regard to closed Garda stations is as follows:
1. Identify, in the first instance, if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has a use for the property.
2. If there is no other State use for a property the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market, if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate much needed revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified, or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW can consider community use subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and provide a benefit to the wider community.
Disposal of this property was delayed to allow consideration of an approach by a Community Group to occupy this property as a licensee. To make allowance for the impacts of Covid, extended time has been given to this Group to prepare their proposal. If received, this proposal will be considered, and a decision made to either license the Group to occupy the property or prepare the property for disposal.
