Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

220. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans that are in place for disused Garda stations, for example, Dalkey and Kill O’The Grange Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61430/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Office of Public Works (OPW) manages a property portfolio in excess of 2,500 properties ranging from heritage buildings, commercial office blocks, green field sites, warehouses, Coast Guard Stations and Garda Stations.  As would be the norm in such a large portfolio, at any given time, there will be a number of properties being refurbished or vacant.  The State will always retain a number of vacant properties for future use. As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.

Under the 2012/2013 Policing Plans of An Garda Síochána, 139 stations were identified as surplus to An Garda Síochána’s requirements and reverted to the Office of Public Works to identify an alternative State use or manage their disposal. In 2016, following a review by An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority, six stations were identified for re-opening.

Of the 139 Garda stations that were closed under the 2013/2013 policing plans, 31remain.  Schedule A attached sets out their status and future plans. 

The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) Circulars:

1. Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets

2. Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property

In a case where the OPW does not need to retain a property, and has deemed it surplus to requirements, the office follows a strict procedure.  The OPW's Disposal Policy (consistent with the aforementioned Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars on disposals of properties) with regard to vacant State property, is to:

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

2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of it on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.

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).

In line with OPW Policy, alternative state use was explored in respect of the former Garda station, Kill O’ the Grange, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, with Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council confirming their interest in acquiring the Property.  This property is currently in the process of being transferred to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council under The Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets.

As no alternative State use has been identified for the former Garda stations at  Tubbermore Road and Sorrento Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. These properties will be prepared for disposal by public auction, upon completion of the First Registration process with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland.

Housing and Community Use

In terms of alternative uses such as housing, the OPW notifies all relevant stakeholders of any vacant, surplus properties that may be considered for housing or other State use.  This includes notifying the Land Development Agency and the relevant local authorities or other State bodies.

While the provision of social/affordable and emergency residential accommodation is a function of the Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the OPW has in recent years provided:

- Eight residential units in Dublin City Centre that were transferred to Dublin City Council for use by the Peter McVerry Trust.

- A building in Crumlin, Dublin that is now licensed to Dublin City Council for use as a Family Hub.

- Five former Garda residences in Templemore that were transferred to Tipperary County Council for social housing.

- Two former Garda station properties at Goleen and Adrigole that were transferred to Cork County Council for social housing.

In addition, there are a number of properties that have been transferred or are in the process of being transferred to local authorities and the Land Development Agency, as follows:

- The former Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum which will be transferring to the Land Development Agency for housing purposes

- A further seven buildings and a site that are in the process of transferring to Cork County Council for social housing

- Two former Garda residences that are transferring to Tipperary County Council for social housing.

- A property at Carrigrohane, Cork City that is in the process of being leased to Cork City Council for housing purposes.

- The former Garda station at Inagh that is to be used as a local housing office by Inagh Housing Association following its transfer to Clare County Council.

- Two former Garda station properties at Tarmonbarry and Ballintobber recently transferred to Roscommon County Council for use under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

- The former Garda station Ashford, Co. Wicklow will shortly transfer to Wicklow County Council for use under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

- Two former Garda station properties at Dromahair and Keshcarrigan are in the process of being leased to Leitrim County Council for community purposes.

It should be noted that buildings owned or managed by the OPW are primarily commercial offices, Garda stations, warehouses or others that are not suited to residential use. However, the OPW has actively engaged with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in providing information on any non-operational, vacant buildings owned.  The Department then assesses those buildings in terms of what might be suitable for residential use.

Accommodation for Ukrainian Refugees

The OPW has provided a list of its vacant properties, including former Garda stations, to DCEDIY, DHLGH and the relevant local authorities so that they can assess them for suitability for social or humanitarian housing purposes.  The OPW continues to engage with other State bodies on a regular basis in this regard.

Where either the local authorities or other State bodies do not require the properties in question, they are prepared for sale through public auction.

Further information on vacant Garda stations is available at the link:

vacantgardastations