Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
313. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify the plans that exist for the Garda station in the village of Doonbeg that was shut down in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate - comprising approximately 2,500 properties. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties extends from Leinster House to Skellig Michael and includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies.
As would be the norm in such a large portfolio, at any given time, there will be a number of properties being refurbished or vacant. The State will always retain a number of vacant properties for future use. As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.
In a case where the OPW does not need to retain a property, and has deemed it surplus to requirements, the office follows a strict procedure. The OPW's Disposal Policy (consistent with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars on disposals of properties) with regard to vacant State property, including the former Garda station property at Doonbeg, Co. Clare is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments, Local Authorities or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of it on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate 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 may consider community involvement (subject to detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
When a property is deemed surplus to the requirements of the Commissioners, the OPW notifies all relevant stakeholders as part of the disposal policy. This includes notifying the Land Development Agency and the relevant local authorities who may be interested in acquiring the property for housing purposes.
Both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Children in addition to all relevant local authorities have been briefed on all relevant vacant properties on a number of occasions so that they can determine whether they need these properties for housing or other accommodation purposes.
In line with the above policy, the OPW has sought alternative State use for the former Garda station property at Doonbeg, Co. Clare.
To date no State requirement has been identified for the property at Doonbeg. The OPW is therefore in the process of preparing the property for disposal on the open market during 2023.
