Written answers

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Photo of Thomas GouldThomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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303. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vacant and derelict buildings owned by the HSE and his Department respectively by each CHO in tabular form. [54054/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health does not own real estate. The public healthcare property estate is held and managed by the Health Service Executive. As such, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Photo of Thomas GouldThomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Health if he has met with the HSE to discuss derelict or vacant buildings in their ownership. [54055/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There has been and continues to be significant engagement between my Department and the HSE at senior level on the matter of vacant or derelict buildings in HSE ownership. This is in the context of the Housing for All response and also this year in the national effort on housing and supports for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland.

The HSE periodically review the heath estate property portfolio in light of current and projected needs of the health service and also demographic projections and resourcing requirements. Taking these and other factors into account, decisions are taken in respect of vacant or derelict properties. Where it is confirmed that any given property is no longer required for in the health sector, in accordance with protocol and procedures for state asset transfer and disposal, such properties are initially offered to the Land Development Agency. If there is not an interest from the Land Development Agency they are then offered to other state entities listed on the State Property Register. Finally, if there is no interest expressed by other state entities, the property is placed on the open market.

In response to Housing for All requirements and to contribute to the national effort on housing and supports for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland, a full list of vacant properties identified by the HSE as potentially usable for accommodation and housing was provided to the Department of Housing earlier this year. This list is kept under review and I and officials in my Department continue to engage with the HSE, the Department of Housing and the all of Government responses on these critical issues.

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