Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Would it be possible to conduct an audit of the various locations where it might be beneficial to the State, or be in the State's interest, to bring to a conclusion the various possible uses and disposal? For example, I saw on the news that a very large, preserved building in HSE ownership is idle and has been so for some years. There is a debate on what the cost might be to make it operational. Modern building methods make it possible to segregate a building from within and put it to multiple uses if necessary and have it doing something. It does not make any sense to me or, I am sure, to the Minister of State that a preserved, fine building would be idle because there is a debate ongoing. In this particular case, an offer was made by a developer or a builder to carry out the necessary works to make it habitable.

There was a debate about whether it could be done for that. In other words, that it was short of the cost price. What can we do about that? Are there more of these buildings? I suggest simply doing an audit to list the various buildings, locations or sites that could be put to good use at this time and to find out what can be done to speed up the process.