Dáil debates
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions
State Properties
3:50 pm
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of properties currently owned by the State or under a long-term lease to the State that are currently vacant; the attempts that are being made to fill them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10593/17]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I want to get a sense from the Minister of the policy around properties, particularly commercial properties, leased by the State or owned by the State and empty. What work is under way to tidy the situation up? I do not want a list of every vacant property in the State but a sense of the policy, bearing in mind the need to get value for our property portfolio.
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I am sorry the Deputy does not want a full list because that is what I have provided. The Commissioners of Public Works own 92 properties that are currently vacant and these are listed below. The majority of these properties are former Garda stations that were closed as part of the policing plans of An Garda Síochána in 2012 and 2013. The future use of the former Garda stations will be determined once the review of closed Garda stations, currently being undertaken as part of A Programme for a Partnership Government, has concluded.
The OPW has a clearly defined policy relating to vacant State properties that are identified as surplus to requirements. The policy with regard to non-operational, or vacant, State properties and sites, including former Garda stations, is: to identify if the property is required or suitable for alternative State use by Departments or the wider public sector; if there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer; and if no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW may consider community involvement subject to detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community or voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer.
The Commissioners of Public Works have engaged with key local authority stakeholders and other State bodies to ensure that property is not disposed of when it might be deemed suitable for alternative State use. Full details of both owned and leased properties are as follows:
List of vacant State owned or leased properties currently vacant and the plans for each of them.
| Tramore Rd Waterford | Former custom store | Waterford | Leased property – early surrender of lease to be explored with landlord. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bawnboy | Former Garda station | Cavan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballyconnell | Customs Post | Cavan | Future use under consideration. |
| Redhills | Former Garda station | Cavan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Stradone | Former Garda station | Cavan | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Broadford | Former Garda station | Clare | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Doonbeg | Former Garda station | Clare | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Inagh | Former Garda station | Clare | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Adrigole | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballinaspittle | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballyfeard | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballygurteen | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| 13 Woodville, Blarney | Garda Residence | Cork | Being prepared for disposal. |
| Buttevant | Garda Residence | Cork | Being prepared for disposal. |
| No. 4 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| No. 5 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| No. 7 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| No. 8 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| No. 9 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| No. 10 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| No. 11 Crosshaven CoastGuard Cottage | CoastGuard Cottage | Cork | Auction Q2 2017. |
| Clonakilty | Agricultural College & Office | Cork | Alternative State use being examined. |
| Glenville | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Goleen | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Knocknagree | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Rathduff | Former Garda station | Cork | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| McCurtain Street | Former Garda station | Cork City | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| St Lukes Former GS, Ballyhooley Rd, Cork | Former Garda station | Cork City | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Buncrana | Former Garda station | Donegal | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Castlefin | Garda Residence | Donegal | Being prepared for disposal. |
| Malin | Former Garda station | Donegal | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Na Brocacha / Cloghan | Former Garda station | Donegal | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| 91A George's Street, Dun Laoghaire | Building | Dublin | Being retained for strategic purpose. |
| Debtors' Prison, Halston Street. | Building | Dublin | Future use under consideration. Alternative State usage being actively considered. |
| 10/11 Castle Street | Building | Dublin | Being retained for strategic purpose. |
| Ballymoe | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Corrandulla | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Kilchreest | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Kilcolgan | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Kilconly | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Kiltullagh | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Leenane | Former Garda station | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Maam | Former Garda station | Galway | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Tynagh | Former Garda station & Garda Res | Galway | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Abbeydorney | Former Garda station | Kerry | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballylongford | Former Garda station | Kerry | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Brosna | Former Garda station | Kerry | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Camp | Former Garda station | Kerry | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Castleisland | Former Garda station | Kerry | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Douglas | Former National School | Kerry | Being prepared for disposal. |
| Moyvane | Former Garda station | Kerry | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Rathangan | Former Garda station | Kildare | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Castlecomer | Former Garda station | Kilkenny | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Drumkeerin | Former Garda station & Garda Res | Leitrim | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Glenfarne | Former Garda station | Leitrim | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Keshcarrigan | Former Garda station | Leitrim | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Castletown Conyers | Former Garda station | Limerick | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Edward Street | Former Garda station | Limerick | Property swop with Limerick City and County Council under consideration. |
| Galbally | Former Garda station | Limerick | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Kilfinane | Former Garda station | Limerick | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Mary Street | Former Garda station | Limerick | Property swop with Limerick City and County Council under consideration. |
| Mayorstone Park | Former Garda station | Limerick | Property swop with Limerick City and County Council under consideration. |
| Shanagolden | Former Garda station | Limerick | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballinalee | Former Garda station | Longford | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballina | Former Garda station | Mayo | Being prepared for disposal. Not subject to the Policing Authority Review. |
| Ballyglass | Former Garda station | Mayo | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Bellacorrick | Former Garda station | Mayo | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Blacksod | Former Garda station | Mayo | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Lahardane | Former Garda station | Mayo | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Hollymount | Former Garda station | Mayo | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Navan | Government Buildings | Meath | Future use under consideration. |
| Enfield | Former ESB building | Meath | Future use under consideration. |
| Clones | Customs Building | Monaghan | Future use under consideration. |
| Clontibret | Former Garda station | Monaghan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Corrinshigagh | Former Garda station | Monaghan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Innisshannon | Customs Hut | Monaghan | Future use under consideration. |
| Newbliss | Former Garda station | Monaghan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Smithborough | Former Garda station | Monaghan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Shantonagh | Former Garda station | Monaghan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Tynagh | Former Garda station | Monaghan | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballintubber | Former Garda station | Roscommon | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ballyforan | Former Garda station | Roscommon | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Knockcroghery | Former Garda station | Roscommon | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Tarmonbarry | Former Garda station | Roscommon | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| New Inn (Tipperary) | Former Garda station | Tipperary | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| No. 3 The Mall, Templemore | Garda Residence | Tipperary | Future use under consideration. |
| No. 4 The Mall, Templemore | Garda Residence | Tipperary | Future use under consideration. |
| No. 5 The Mall, Templemore | Garda Residence | Tipperary | Future use under consideration. |
| No. 9 Church Ave, Templemore | Garda Residence | Tipperary | Future use under consideration. |
| No. 10 Church Ave, Templemore | Garda Residence | Tipperary | Future use under consideration. |
| Ballyduff | Former Garda station | Waterford | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
| Ardmore | Building | Waterford | Future use under consideration. |
| Hollywood | Former Garda station | Wicklow | Future use to be considered on conclusion of the review of closed Garda stations being overseen by the Policing Authority. |
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State might be getting a bit confused. Only one Member of this House has a specific interest in Garda stations at the moment, and that is the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. The State has been paying rent since January on the Miesian Plaza on Lower Baggot Street. A 25-year lease was agreed but staff are not due to move in until the middle of the year after it has been fitted out. I want to know how much the State is paying in rent, for office buildings in particular. It is hard to understand why we do not have enough office space in Dublin owned by Government and which, with a bit of reorganisation, could be reused.
The Minister said previously that €44 million in annual rent was saved and that a national asset database was being put together to allow Departments to use any spare space. At what stage is the database and when will it be made public?
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Those questions were not in the original question and they involve much detail. I made a presentation to the finance committee last week but the Deputy is looking for a considerable amount of information. We will get that information for him as I do not have it to hand at the moment.
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I am looking for a sense of what the plan is. Are there areas in the State where empty properties are leased to the State, including to State agencies? Is there a need for property on the part of State agencies in those areas? What work is being done in the Department to root out a waste of money such as this and what is being done to regularise the situation?
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works continually reviews its options regarding State properties and a review is ongoing of the properties we own and lease. Over the past number of years leases on properties have been given up to save money for the Exchequer and I will get the exact details of that for the Deputy. The overall aim is not to have vacant properties but there will be gaps when people relocate. We will endeavour to minimise those gaps. A fit-out is being done of the Miesian Plaza to make it ready for the staff who will be going there.