John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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74. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an audit of all lands and properties owned by his Department has been undertaken with a view to making suitable properties available for social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49200/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works manage owned and leased properties held by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Commissioners of Public Works. In accordance with DPER Circular 17/2016 – Policy for Property Acquisition and for the Disposal of Surplus Property the OPW keeps this portfolio of properties under regular review to identify property needs and properties that are now surplus to requirements. Properties identified as surplus are made known to other public sector bodies, including local authorities and more recently the Land Development Agency, using the State Property Register. No property can be disposed of until it is designated as surplus for at least one month on the State Property Register to allow for expressions of interest from other State bodies.   

All State bodies that have are involved in the provision of social and affordable housing have access to information on all properties managed by the OPW, be they properties that are used or are surplus. The OPW had a number of engagements with representatives of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government regarding its property portfolio in the months before the establishment of the Land Development Agency (LDA).  Since the establishment of the LDA, the OPW has engaged directly with its officials on property-related matters. 

As you are aware, the LDA has a particular focus on securing land for social and affordable housing purposes and are examining the potential use of State held land, whether it is currently in use or designated as surplus. There is therefore a mechanism in place to ensure that property managed by the OPW which is suitable for social and affordable housing can be considered for that purpose.