Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works, OPW, plans to sell the unused Garda station in Glenfarne, County Leitrim; if so, when it will be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35747/19]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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As part of the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Office of Public Works (OPW) was requested not to dispose of any further closed Garda stations pending the outcome of two reviews of closed Garda stations. 

The first review identified six closed Garda stations for reopening and the second review, published on the 21^stDecember 2018, did not identify any further closed Garda stations for reopening.

The Commissioners of Public Works are proceeding to review the remaining closed Garda stations in State ownership in line with the OPW’s policy on surplus vacant property, including the former Garda station at Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim.

The OPW policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:

- Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.

- 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.

- 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 a 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 future use of the former Garda Station at Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim is currently being examined in line with the above policy.