Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the properties which are vacant and are either owned or being rented by the Office of Public Works by county; the amount of rent paid to date on those vacant rented properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36777/20]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) manages over 2,500 properties on behalf of the State. These include office accommodation, heritage properties, visitor centres, Garda stations, warehouses and others.  As would be normal for a portfolio of that size, there are a small number of non-operational or vacant properties and sites around the country. 

At present, there are just over 80 buildings vacant.  Over half of these are former Garda stations that were closed under the 2012/2013 policing plans of An Garda Síochána.  In late 2017, a review of the closed Garda stations identified six for re-opening.  The OPW was requested by An Garda Síochána in January 2018 not to dispose of or transfer any further closed Garda stations in State ownership until a further review overseen by the Policing Authority was concluded.  This review was carried out by the Garda Inspectorate and was published in December 2018.  The OPW engaged with An Garda Síochána on the outcome of the review in advance of proceeding with further disposals or consideration of alternative use.

Of the existing non-operational or vacant properties (buildings) listed below that have not been reassigned, a number are in the process of being transferred to local authorities, being considered/prepared for disposal, are under consideration for community use or are being retained for alternative State use.

As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for it.  Alternative State use, in accordance with the OPW disposal policy, has been explored for each of those properties identified as being prepared for disposal.

The OPW’s policy on disposal of surplus State property is as follows:

1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative 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 or

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. 

Leased Property

There is one vacant leased property, which is the former Vehicle Registration Office in Carlow. The rent is €60,957.50 per annum and €45,725.64 has been spent to date in 2020.  As the lease expires in June 2021 it would not be feasible to put a new occupant in place..

List of vacant Properties (Buildings) not assigned – November 2020