Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, thanks Senator Byrne for providing the opportunity to update the House on the number of vacant properties in the ownership or possession of the Department or the HSE. The Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate. The HSE has established property protocols for the disposal of property surplus to health requirements. When a HSE-owned property has been vacated by a health service, it is necessary to determine if it is surplus to health requirements. This involves engagement with other HSE services to establish if they have a need for the property in question. Once it is confirmed the property is surplus to requirements, the following process applies. Such properties are initially offered to the Land Development Agency, LDA, and, thereafter, to other State entities listed on the State property register. Finally, if there is no interest expressed by other State entities, the property is placed on the open market.

As of 29 February 2024, the HSE has a total of 183 vacant properties. Of these properties, 90 are surplus to the HSE’s requirements and are in various stages of disposal, while 32 are vacant and under review. These properties are being considered for retention and reuse by health care services or disposal. A further 61 are retained assets, which means the properties are vacant and have been retained for varying reasons related to the provision of health services. Decisions in respect of such properties are informed by HSE service management, based on an understanding of current or future healthcare service needs in the relevant area.

The Minister for Health and his Department welcome the proposals from some local authorities to take up long-term leases on vacant and disused HSE-owned properties which have been identified as being surplus to healthcare needs. The Department continues to engage with other pivotal stakeholders, including the LDA, the Department of housing, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to maximise the efficient and effective use of State land.

In relation to the HSE-owned property in Camolin, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, which was formerly used as a health centre, this property is surplus to HSE requirements. HSE capital and estates has reviewed the title of the property and intends to dispose of it in line with its existing property protocols. Wexford County Council has expressed an interest in this property and is actively seeking funding to bring it back into use, with a decision expected in quarter 2 of this year. Should Wicklow County Council decide not to acquire the former Camolin health centre and no interest is expressed in the property by any other State stakeholder, the HSE will then progress the disposal of the property on the open market in line with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 17/2016 and HSE property protocols.