Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to the staff in the OPW because they engaged in the past with regard to potentially leasing it to community groups at a nominal value, as has happened in other areas. There is an issue across the road from that site. This small Garda station was hit by lightning and had serious damage done to it. I am not sure what other use it could be used for. There is a school across the road. The Department of Education approved an extension because of the increased pupil numbers in the school. There is no car parking facility whatsoever. This is one potential remedy, although not completely suitable. I strongly urge the Minister of State to engage with the Department of Education and the board of management of the school to look at this option before it goes to public auction. There was a willingness in the Department to offer this site, as it has done with other sites in the past, to community groups.