Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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606. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is possible to relinquish the site at Whitehall Garda station, and if works there now prevent it being converted into a Garda station. [10429/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The 2012 and 2013 policing plans for An Garda Síochána identified 139 Garda stations for closure. Many of these properties reverted to the Office of Public Works (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 former Garda station at Whitehall, Dublin 9 was identified for alternate State use in line with the above policy.

I am advised that the property has undergone a major refurbishment and is scheduled to open as the Dublin City Mortuary, accommodating the State Pathologist and Dublin City Coroner in June 2016.