Written answers
Monday, 8 September 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Vacant Properties
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1482. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of all vacant properties currently owned or controlled by his Department or any agency under its remit; if he will furnish a list of these properties, by Dáil constituency; and the duration for which each property has remained vacant and any intended future use. [44919/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Details of properties owned or controlled by my Department that are currently vacant are provided in the table below.
| Property | Address | Dáil Constituency | Length of Time Vacant | Intended Future Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westview House | Audley’s Place, Cork City | Cork North Central | 6 years | The intended future use of Westview House is under consideration |
| Old Cork Prison | Rathmore Road, Cork City | Cork North Central | 9 years | Included in the National Development Plan 2025 to 2030 for a new prison on the site. |
| Thornton Hall | Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin | Dublin Fingal | 20 years | Included in the National Development Plan 2025 to 2030 for a new prison on the site. |
Courts Service of Ireland
| Property | Address | Dáil Constituency | Length of Time Vacant | Intended Future Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballinamore Courthouse | Main Street, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim | Sligo-Leitrim | 15 years | To be determined |
| Manorhamilton Courthouse | Main Street, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim | Sligo-Leitrim | 22 years | To be determined |
| Former Traffic Court | Smithfield, Dublin 7. | Dublin Central | 30 years | Included in the Courts Service building projects under the National Development Plan. |
| Swords Courthouse | Bridge Street , Swords, Dublin | Dublin Fingal East | 1 year | Currently closed, seeking permanent alternative accommodation. |
| Wicklow Courthouse | Market Square, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow | Wicklow | 15 years | Included in the Courts Service building projects under the National Development Plan. |
| Kanturk Courthouse | Church St, Kanturk, Co. Cork | Cork North-West | 15 years | Was offered to Local Authority in 2022 but funding was not available |
| Roscommon Courthouse | Abbey Street, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon F42 YH48 | Roscommon-Galway | 5 years | Included in the Courts Service building projects under the National Development Plan. |
| Tuam All Star Site building | Dublin Road, Tuam, Co. Galway. | Galway East | 16 years | To be determined |
| Carndonagh Courthouse | Carndonagh Courthouse, Churchland Quarters, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal | Donegal | 6 years | Included in the Courts Service building projects under the National Development Plan. |
| Carrickmacross | Carrickmacross Court Building, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. | Cavan–Monaghan | 5 years | Courthouse continues to be maintained in good condition with a view to reopening soon |
Legal Aid Board
| Property | Address | Why is the property currently unused/vacant? | Dáil Constituency | Length of Time Vacant | Intended Future Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid Board Law Centre | Seville House, New Dock Street, The Docks, Galway | A co-located office opened in Galway City in July 2025 which obviated the need to retain the current property. | Galway West | 7 weeks | N/A* |
Criminal Assets Bureau
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) currently has 17 properties under the management of CAB's Asset Management Office. For security and operational reasons, it is not appropriate at this point in time to furnish a list by Dáil constituency. However, for convenience, details of these properties, broken down by province, are set out below.
- Residential / Vacant / Habitable: 10 ( 2 Ulster; 4 Leinster; 4 Munster)
- Residential / Vacant / Unhabitable: 3 (1 Ulster; 1 Leinster; 1 Connaught)
- Non-Residential: 4 (Land and site)
- Total Properties: 17
As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
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