Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I largely agree with what the Deputy has said. There is not a huge array of available properties or properties suitable for housing in the Office of Public Works, OPW, however. I will send the Deputy a detailed letter on this because I will not be able to give her all the information now.

There are 440 properties in the OPW property portfolio deemed habitable, the majority of which are occupied by members of An Garda Síochána and are, therefore, not available for letting. There are others in the heritage portfolio such as caretaker lodges which are assigned to particular tasks. Again, they are not available.

Several properties were identified by the OPW as being available. One is in Kildonan Park, Finglas, which has been made available as a residential centre to support vulnerable women. It has a two storey residential school including classrooms, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, canteen and fully equipped kitchen and several outbuildings.

The Minister of State with responsibility for housing is dealing with the overall co-ordination of this. I will give her full support across all Departments to identify any property that might be brought expeditiously into use.

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