Ms Clare McGrath:

On Garda stations, once the announcement was made on closures, this became a programme of work for us in relation to the operational responsibility for that part of the estate which was being handed to the Office of Public Works by the Garda Síochána. The policy on this is that we look in the first instance as to whether there is other public use. In that regard, eight stations have been put to other public use. This is where I also talk back to the register on the identification of these properties. Consideration must also be given to the value of some of these properties. We then look at their disposal or, depending on their location, they may be strategically held because we have to have regard to the future. We have looked at the communities initiative. Where communities have been able to make a business case and have the wherewithal to take on a licence and the legal obligations therein, we have been very happy to facilitate that within communities. I believe there are in the order of 17 such cases.