Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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761. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will institute a framework scheme facility and encourage the rehabilitation of disused railway, canal, and similar buildings, in the ownership of agencies under the aegis of his Department, for housing, cultural, heritage, community or similar uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34166/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​While my Department does not intend to institute a framework as mentioned by the Deputy,  there are some agencies under the remit of my Department such as Iarnród Éireann who encourage the rehabilitation of disused property. Disused railway lines can be formally abandoned under Statute and disposed of by CIE or in other cases services are discontinued by Iarnród Eireann but ownership is retained. In both cases if a viable alternative use is proposed for community or other appropriate use, CIE and Iarnród Eireann will endeavour to facilitate that use by means of a temporary licence to use the property, but always reserving the right to regain possession of the property if railway services become viable again in the future.

The Mullingar/Athlone closed line is a recent case in point where it has been incorporated into the Dublin to Galway Greenway in collaboration with Westmeath County Council . Other examples include the North Kerry line and Waterford/Dungarvan line.