Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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292. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide data on vacant property currently owned or held on long-term lease by the State that is suitable for office accommodation, by building and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34081/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of the State, manage a large and diverse property portfolio which ranges from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitors centres, Garda stations, among others. Within this portfolio, there are a number of vacant properties. The majority of those properties currently vacant are former Garda stations, customs posts, former coastguard stations and sundry other properties located throughout the country.

There is a need to strategically retain certain properties in a number of key locations for development or which will be of greater value and generate more income for the State when the market recovers.

When retaining properties, the OPW continues to explore uses for them through State bodies and local authorities, in addition to considering community use.

The OPW is continually engaged in identifying properties suitable for alternative State use, for example their potential for use as social housing, or other uses that may either generate an income, reduce repair/maintenance costs to the Exchequer or facilitate accommodation or strategic development solutions, in consultation with other State bodies.

There are currently no vacant or unallocated properties on a long term lease.

The Commissioners of Public Works own the following properties which are currently vacant, no decisions have yet been made on future use.