Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the use to which closed Garda stations have been put to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38296/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Justice, as part of An Garda Síochána's rationalisation programme, announced the closure of 139 Garda stations between 2012 and 2013.

The Office Of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility to manage properties which have been deemed surplus to the requirements of An Garda Síochána.

The OPW policy for disposing of these surplus State properties is as follows: identify if required for alternate State use, including government departments and the wider public sector; if there is no other State use for a property the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market; if no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW may consider community involvement.

To date, eight former Garda stations have been retained for other State uses and 15 stations have been sold at public auction. A further 25 former Garda stations are to be sold this year. Sixteen former Garda stations have been assigned to community groups.

I am satisfied with the policy for dealing with former Garda stations. The uses to which closed Garda stations are being put is in line with this policy.