Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2026
214. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the State-owned properties in County Offaly that are not currently occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27444/26]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) that there are two properties/sites in County Offaly in the OPW's ownership that are currently vacant and surplus to requirements:
The former Meteorological Station at Birr, Co. Offaly which is currently under consideration by a State Body and
A site at the rear of the Garda station at Daingean, Co. Offaly which is being prepared for disposal.
Both properties will be disposed of in accordance with central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties and 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’s policy in managing surplus vacant 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.
Before properties are placed on the open market the OPW advises other State bodies of its owned surplus vacant properties, so that they can assess them for suitability for social or humanitarian housing purposes or for other State use. This includes the Land Development Agency, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the relevant Local Authority.
The OPW is not in a position to provide data on properties not currently occupied in Co. Offaly that may be held by other State bodies.
