Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 15 together.

The Office of Public Works, OPW, on behalf of the State, manages a large and diverse property portfolio which ranges from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitor centres and Garda stations, among others. There are a number of vacant properties within this portfolio. The majority of vacant properties are recently closed Garda stations, with the remainder consisting of properties such as customs posts, former Coast Guard stations and sundry other properties located nationwide.

The Office of Public Works has a clearly defined policy relating to vacant properties that are identified as surplus to its requirements. In the first instance, it engages with other public service bodies, including relevant local authorities, to establish the potential for alternative use in advance of deciding on disposal. Such alternative use includes the potential for these properties to be made available to meet social housing needs.

The Office of Public Works has been actively involved with the relevant authorities to identify potential properties within the portfolio which could be considered suitable to address the current housing issues. For example, it agreed to make a number of properties available to the Housing Agency and the office is engaged with the agency on the issue of leasing arrangements. In addition, the OPW recently made a property available to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. It is intended that this property will be used as a residential centre to support vulnerable women affected by long-term homelessness.

Deputies will be aware that on 20 May last, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for housing and planning, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, published the implementation plan on the State's response to homelessness, which outlines the Government's approach to delivering its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The plan sets out a range of measures to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households within the next three years and mobilise the necessary supports. Progress on implementing the plan will be reported quarterly by the Minister of State with responsibility for housing and planning through the Cabinet committee on social policy.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will chair a working group of key stakeholders which will identify potential suitable and available properties, with a view to putting in place the necessary arrangements to facilitate their use as housing units.

With regard to determining the criteria by which a property is adjudged to be suitable for social housing, this is primarily a matter for the relevant housing authorities. I am advised, however, that the following criteria generally apply: the suitability of the property given that many of them are purpose built Garda stations; the location of the properties and level of demand in the relevant area; and the current condition of the property and cost of refurbishment. As stated, the vacant State portfolio will form part of the option appraisal to deliver residential units being completed by the relevant housing authorities.

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