Written answers
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Departmental Properties
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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278. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by his Department; his plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55051/23]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties.
This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.
In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of surplus vacant or non-operational properties. It is normal to have an amount of space vacant, or vacant properties, at any given time as the portfolio could not function without the flexibility that it provides. Not all vacant properties will be deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or suitable for disposal.
The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties including former Garda station properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) Circulars:
- Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets
- Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property
The OPW’s approach to managing vacant, surplus properties is firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed for either Government Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties 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.
In line with the above policy, the OPW has provided a list of its surplus vacant properties, including former Garda station properties, to the Land Development Agency, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the relevant Local Authorities so that they could assess them for suitability for social or humanitarian housing purposes or for other State use.
In addition, there are a limited number of sundry residential dwellings that are intrinsic to the estates of parks and gardens as part of the national historic properties managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW); and for that reason would not be appropriate for disposal. In general, these properties are allocated to staff in specific posts, such as Park Superintendents, Deer Keepers, etc. where there is a requirement for them to be present on the ground.
Attached at Appendix 1 is a list of surplus vacant properties (57) and sites (23).
1 | Clare | Broadford | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Clare | Quin | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
3 | Cork | Ballyfeard | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
4 | Cork | Ballygurteen | Garda Station | Under consideration by Cork County Council. |
5 | Cork | Knocknagree | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
6 | Donegal | Malin | Garda Station | Intra State transfer to Donegal County Council. |
7 | Donegal | Na Brocacha / Cloghan | Garda Station | To be leased to Donegal County Council. |
8 | Dublin | Dalkey | Garda Station | Alternative State use being examined. |
9 | Dublin | Kill O The Grange | Garda Station | Intra State transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. |
10 | Galway | Ballymoe | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
11 | Galway | Kiltullagh | Garda Station | Sale agreed. Sold by auction. |
12 | Kerry | Brosna | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
13 | Limerick | Castletown Conyers | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
14 | Limerick | Galbally | Garda Station | Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Limerick City and County Council. |
15 | Limerick | Kilfinane | Garda Station | Under consideration by Limerick City and County Council. |
16 | Limerick | Shanagolden | Garda Station | Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Limerick City and County Council. |
17 | Longford | Ardagh | Garda Station | Sale Agreed. Sold by auction |
18 | Longford | Ballinalee | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
19 | Mayo | Bellacorrick | Garda Station | Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Mayo County Council. |
20 | Mayo | Ballycastle | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
21 | Mayo | Glenisland | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
22 | Monaghan | Newbliss | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
23 | Roscommon | Ballyforan | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
24 | Roscommon | Knockcroghery | Garda Station | Alternative State use being examined - National Parks and Wildlife Service. |
25 | Wicklow | Hollywood | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
Other Former Garda Stations (6) | ||||
1 | Cork | 92 Ballyhooly Road, Cork City | Garda Station | Sale Agreed. |
2 | Donegal | Bunbeg | Garda Station | Sale Agreed. Sold by auction. |
3 | Donegal | Buncrana | Garda Station | Intra State transfer to Donegal County Council. |
4 | Kilkenny | Castlecomer | Garda Station | Intra State transfer to Kilkenny County Council. |
5 | Limerick | Mayorstone Drive | Garda Station | Intra State transfer to Limerick City and County Council. |
6 | Sligo | Ballymote | Garda Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
Former Garda Residences (4) | ||||
1 | Cork | Kealkil | Residence | Being prepared for disposal by auction - 2024. Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
2 | Kerry | Ballylongford | Residence | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
3 | Tipperary | 11 Church Avenue, Templemore | Residence | Intra State transfer to Tipperary County Council. |
4 | Tipperary | 12 Church Avenue, Templemore | Residence | Intra State transfer to Tipperary County Council. |
Former Coastguard Site (1) and Properties (10) | ||||
1 | Cork | Crosshaven Site | Site | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
2 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 4) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
3 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 5) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
4 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 7) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
5 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 8) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
6 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 9) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
7 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 10) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
8 | Cork | Crosshaven (cottage No. 11) | Cottage | Intra State transfer to Cork Co. Co for social housing scheme. |
9 | Cork | Crosshaven | Rocket House | Under consideration by Cork Co Co. |
10 | Donegal | Greencastle | Rocket House | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
11 | Kerry | Ballydavid | Rocket House | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
Former Customs Sites (5) and Properties (2) | ||||
1 | Cavan | Ballyconnell | Site | Being prepared for disposal. |
2 | Donegal | Ballyshannon | Site | Future State use being examined. |
3 | Donegal | Burnfoot | Station | Future State use being examined. |
4 | Louth | Carrickcarnan | Station | Future State use being examined. |
5 | Louth | Ferryhill | Site | Future State use being examined. |
6 | Monaghan | Castleblayney | Site | Being prepared for disposal 2024 |
7 | Monaghan | Inishammon | Site | Being prepared for disposal 2024 |
Former Met Station Site (1) and Property (1) | ||||
1 | Offaly | Birr | Met Station | Being prepared for disposal - 2024. |
2 | Westmeath | Mullingar | Met Station site | Title issues to be resolved before disposal can be planned. |
Decentralisation Sites (2) | ||||
1 | Laois | Portlaoise | Decentralisation Site | Future State use being examined. |
2 | Waterford | Waterford | Decentralisation Site | Future State use being examined - car park (lease). |
Miscellaneous Buildings (9) | ||||
1 | Cork | Bannow House, Carrigrohane, T23AK58 | Residence | To be leased to Cork City Council. |
2 | Cork | Old Blackrock Road | Former OPW Office | Alternative State use being examined. |
3 | Dublin | 10-11 Castle Street | Building | Alternative State use being examined. |
4 | Dublin | Halston Street. (Former Debtors Prison). | Building | Alternative State use being examined. |
5 | Dublin | 44 O'Connell Street | Building | Intra State transfer/disposal under consideration. |
6 | Dublin | 45 O'Connell street | Building | Intra State transfer/disposal under consideration. |
7 | Dublin | CMH Dundrum | Building | Under consideration by the LDA. |
8 | Limerick | Cecil Street | Building | Under consideration by Limerick City and County Council. |
9 | Waterford | Customs House (Merchants Quay) | Building | Alternative State use being examined. |
Miscellaneous Sites (14) | ||||
1 | Donegal | Ballintra | Site | An Garda Síochána have requested that the site be retained until there is certainty over existing leased property. Planned disposal put on hold. |
2 | Donegal | Castlefin | Site | Future State use being examined. |
3 | Donegal | Raphoe | Site | Intra State transfer to Education and Training Board. |
4 | Dublin | Hawkins Street | Site | Planned for office development. |
5 | Galway | Athenry | Site | Intra State transfer to Galway County Council. |
6 | Galway | Mountbellew | Site | Alternative State use being examined. Large unused walled garden (1-acre) which An Garda Síochána do not want disposed. |
7 | Galway | Lands at Rosmuc (WTP) | Site | Sale agreed. Intra State transfer to Galway County Council |
8 | Kerry | Killarney | Muckross Road Site | Being prepared for disposal 2024. |
9 | Mayo | Ballyhaunis | Site | Being prepared for disposal 2024. |
10 | Monaghan | Scotstown | Site | Intra State transfer to Monaghan County Council. |
11 | Offaly | Daingean | Site at rear of Garda Station | Future State use being examined. |
12 | Sligo | DEASP Carpark | Caltragh site | Future State use being examined. |
13 | Westmeath | Lissywollen, Athlone | Site | State use being examined (D/Children). |
14 | Wexford | Ballygilane Little, Rosslare Harbour | Site | Under consideration by Wexford County Council. |
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