Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with Section 53 of the Land Development Agency (LDA) Act 2021 , there is an obligation on all relevant public bodies disposing of relevant public land to first offer it for sale to the LDA. The LDA is also currently preparing a report to the Government, which shall identify lands suitable for the purposes of the LDA Act.

Under Action 19.9 of Housing for All it was also agreed that all Government Departments examine their existing portfolio of properties and, subject to any obligations under the Public Spending Code, the LDA Act 2021 or the State Property Act 1954, would place them on the market if they were not required and may be suitable for residential housing. This would allow for more efficient use of those buildings and provide opportunities for individuals and families to convert suitable buildings into homes.

In this context, my Department wrote to all Government Departments in December 2021 requesting that they review their respective portfolio of properties and assess what properties, if any, may be suitable for housing. All Departments have responded to this request and further direct engagement is now taking place, led by the State Lands Subgroup with those Departments who manage large property portfolios, albeit in the ownership of Office of Public Works (OPW), to identify potential underutilised properties which could be released for use for residential purposes.

A Memorandum for Government was brought on 9 June 2022 updating Government on the ongoing work of the State Lands and Property Group. The Group is focused on identifying further potential sites suitable to support housing delivery and on timely re-purposing of these lands/properties for long-term residential use. Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a collaborative pilot programme, based on information available in both the LDA and OPW register of lands, along with local knowledge, to identify additional opportunities in a selection of local authorities. Engagement with the County and City Management Association has commenced in relation to this.