Written answers
Thursday, 11 May 2023
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
State Properties
Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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50. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the disposal of disused Garda stations in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22070/23]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) that the following Garda Stations are surplus to requirements in counties Sligo and Leitrim:
| County | Property | Current Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sligo | Former Garda Station Cliffoney | Intra-State Transfer to Sligo County Council |
| 2. | Sligo | Former Garda Station Ballymote | Being prepared for disposal |
| 3. | Leitrim | Former Garda Station Dromahair | To be leased to Leitrim County Council |
| 4. | Leitrim | Former Garda Station Keshcarrigan | To be leased to Leitrim County Council |
The Office of Public Works (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:
- Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets
- Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property
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 OPW is liaising with Leitrim County Council to progress the transfer of the former Garda station properties at Dromahair and Keshcarrigan by way of a Lease Agreement. The Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) is liaising with the Councils’ legal representatives to finalise matters and it is expected that the Lease Agreements will be executed in the coming weeks.
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