Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the location of properties, formerly used as Garda Síochána stations, currently in the ownership of the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/16]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the location of properties, formerly used as Garda Síochána stations (details supplied), currently in the ownership of the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7135/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 147 together.

The 2012 and 2013 policing plans for An Garda Síochána identified 139 Garda stations for closure. Many of these properties reverted to the OPW to identify an alternative State use or manage their disposal.

The OPW's Disposal Policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:

1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternate State use by both Government departments and the wider public sector.

2. If there is no other State use identified 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 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 may consider community involvement (subject to detailed written submission which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).

The summary position regarding the 139 former Garda stations is as follows with full details below in Appendix 1.

Of the 139 former Garda stations 94 remain in the ownership of the Commissioners .

49 have been identified for disposal.

15 have been assigned or are in the process of being assigned, under licence, for community use.

16 properties are occupied by serving members of An Garda Síochána and remain under the management of An Garda Síochána.

9 of the properties have been retained (or are under consideration) for alternate State use.

1 has reopened as a Garda station.

1 has been retained by An Garda Síochána.

3 properties have been retained for strategic purposes and are under a pilot guardianship arrangement.

APPENDIX 1

Garda Stations Announced for Closure in the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2012 and 2013 in the Ownership of the Commissioners of Public Works

SUMMARY

Details