Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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22. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 713 of 17 January 2017, the details of the types of future State use being considered by his Department for the vacant State owned properties on the list; if there are plans to repurpose any of the buildings for social housing or emergency accommodation usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3421/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The OPW has a clearly defined policy relating to vacant State properties that are identified as surplus to requirements. The policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State properties and sites including former Garda stations is to:

1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by Government departments or 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 Commissioners of Public Works have engaged with key Local Authority stakeholders to ensure that property is not disposed of when it might be deemed suitable for alternative use such as to address the needs of homeless persons.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently in discussion with local authorities in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny regarding properties that might be suitable for housing or emergency accommodation. The Office also has ongoing discussions with the Fr. Peter McVerry Trust regarding its needs.

The majority of the properties currently listed as vacant are closed Garda stations that are located in rural areas and would require significant investment and adaptation to suit the needs of homeless individuals and families. Many of these properties are not suited for such adaption.

It should be noted that when the OPW does dispose of any properties on the open market the receipts from those transactions are returned to the central exchequer thus enabling the funds to be used for social housing or related projects as deemed appropriate.