Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way community and local development groups will put forward proposals to acquire local Garda Stations recently vacated for community projects or facilities; if he will outline the mechanism that such groups should consider in order that any proposals they may have may be considered by the Office of Public Works. [7170/13]

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

The OPW will identify, in the first instance, if there are any other State Bodies, including government departments and the wider public sector that have a use for the property.

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.

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 and that there is no cost to the Exchequer.