Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2026
41. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will consider a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW), like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties and the arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure & 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’s Policy in managing surplus properties is
Firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed for either Government Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties are retained in anticipation of potential State use/development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision.
Secondly, if no State use is identified, the OPW considers if open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions.
Thirdly, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.
In line with the above policy and in accordance with the DPER Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets the OPW sought alternative State use by offering the property to all relevant State Bodies. Alternative State use for the former Meteorological Station at Birr, Co. Offaly is currently under consideration by a State Body and the OPW is therefore not in a position to consider making the property available for community use at this time.
