Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Heffernan for his kind words on my appointment. I very much appreciate them. I also appreciate the opportunity afforded by the Adjournment debate raised by him for me to update Seanad Éireann on closed Garda stations and what has happened to date, and to respond to the question of the cost of maintaining such premises.

In relation to the State's property assets, the Government is committed to reforming property asset management in the public service to ensure value to the taxpayer. The Commissioners of Public Works manage a large and diverse portfolio of property assets, including historic properties, on behalf of the State. The authority to dispose of State property is conferred on the commissioners by section 10 of the State Property Act 1954.

The stated policy for closed Garda stations is to identify if other State bodies, including Departments and the wider public sector, have a use for the property. If no State requirement is identified, the OPW will consider disposing of the property on the open market, in order to generate much needed revenue for the Exchequer. At a time when we are trying to reduce the rental bill for the State, the first port of call is to see if the closed Garda station could be used for an existing State need, as outlined. If such is not found, then the option to dispose of the premises on the open market is considered in order to generate revenue.

If a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW will consider community involvement, subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case. That must indicate that the community and voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there is no cost to the Exchequer in the short, medium or long term. We have a responsibility to maintain the building and while we can enter into licensing agreements we cannot do anything that would in any way jeopardise the State’s investment in terms of the building.

To date, eight former Garda stations have been retained for other State uses and 15 stations have been sold at public auction, achieving approximately €1.4 million. A further 25 are to be sold this year. Sixteen former Garda stations have been assigned to community groups. Where Garda stations have been so assigned, those have been generally to community councils that represent a broad range of community and voluntary groups, with links to local SOLAS, community employment and Tús training and employment schemes.

Decisions taken by the OPW to licence certain properties are based on the following principles, namely, the benefit to the broader community in terms of local services, activities or employment and training opportunities to be achieved from the use of the property; savings to the State of maintenance, service and other costs; and ownership remaining with the State with a re-entry clause at a time to be decided by State requirements.

There are other considerations to be taken into account. For example, properties with telecommunications masts generate an income in excess of €5 million per annum for the State which place contractual obligations on the OPW and it may be more beneficial for the taxpayer to retain these properties in State management rather than dispose of them. When retaining properties, the OPW continues to explore uses for them through State bodies and local authorities, in addition to considering community use. The cost of maintaining the closed Garda stations this year, to date, is approximately €136,000. With regard to insurance, these former stations are covered by the State’s indemnity.

Senator Heffernan has referred to the question of temporary use of the former Garda station in Kilfinane, County Limerick by Kilfinane Forest AFC. The property was assessed in line with the disposal policy I have outlined and no State use was identified. The property is now being prepared for disposal on the open market. In the event that the property does not sell, the OPW could then consider community use. I will ask my officials to provide the Senator with an update on the timeline in terms of attempting to dispose of the property on the open market. I will also try to get an indication of how hopeful we are of a disposal. If the disposal does not go ahead or is not successful, I will ask the OPW to link in with the Senator and the local soccer club to see whether a community use could be identified.