Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will indicate, the policy of the Office of Public Work in relation to Garda stations which have been closed, in recent weeks and in this context, if he will take steps to have a barracks handed over in a location (details supplied), in County Westmeath, to the local development association who wish to acquire same to utilise for community purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6110/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is required to manage its property portfolio in the most efficient and effective manner that provides the optimum value to the taxpayer.

The policy with regard to closed Garda stations is as follows:

1. Identify, in the first instance, if other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector has a use for the property.

2. If there is no other State use 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 much needed revenue for the Exchequer.

3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW would consider, community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate business case which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property.