Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance the status of a property (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this property has been idle for a number of years; if this property comes under the remit of the Office of Public Works; if so, his proposals for the future use of the property; if his attention has further been drawn to the interest expressed by a charity in using this property to expand delivery of services for people with intellectual disabilities; his views on this potential use of the idle property; if he will make contact with the charity in this regard if he, or the OPW, has not already done so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12640/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The property referred to by the Deputy was purchased a number of years ago with a view to utilising it as a Probation and Welfare Office. Following objections to it being used for this purpose, it was then decided to seek planning permission for it to be converted for use as a Driving Test Centre. Planning permission for such use was granted in May 2008. However, in the current financial climate, there are no immediate plans to progress further with this project. The situation will, nevertheless, be kept under review in the light of the developing financial picture. A number of bodies and organisations have expressed an interest in the past in acquiring the property in the event that it is deemed surplus to State requirements. Should it be decided that this is the case, the normal procedure would be to dispose of it by way of public tender.