Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The short answer is "Yes, we do". A number of former Garda stations across the country have been offered to local authorities on more than one occasion and have been regrettably declined. Some of these buildings might require works, significant or insignificant, depending on the location and the scale. Some of them are in relatively good condition and others need to have their title cleared up.

Regrettably, in many instances, we got little or no attraction from the local authority sector and, as a result, depending on the locations, there may or may not have been community interest. How we dispose of them is very simple. First, they are offered to the local authority sector, the HSE and other State bodies to see if they want them. They are then offered to the community sector once an organisation can prove to the OPW that it would not be a burden on the local community and that they would be able to secure the support of the local authority. Failing that, they go to public auction.

Over the past two years, we have come across an issue I am very keen on. I know some people jump up and down about vacant properties. One would swear we were trying to hoard them and retain the cobwebs ourselves. We have no interest, strategic or otherwise, in these properties. We want to dispose of them and give them a new life. If that life is to a young families or someone in the community, that is a great thing. I want to put it on the record of this committee that it is a pity we have not received the responses we should have had from some local authorities. Some have been excellent. Off the top of my head, Roscommon and Leitrim have been very progressive and proactive. For others, their silence is deafening.