Asked and Answered: Buildings 'lying idle'

An update was sought by local senators on the Baileborough Garda Station and various buildings that are "lying idle".

Senator Sarah O'Reilly (Aon) told the Seanad that the Bailieborough Garda station was announced in 2015 and was supposed to be opened early this year.

"It is still not open," she pointed out.

"Does the Minister of State have a date for its opening?" she asked.

However, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure Kevin Boxer Moran said he "cannot respond to everybody individually" and did not address Senator O'Reilly's query on the station.

She also asked what the OPW's plans are for the closed garda station in Stradone.

Lying idle

Meanwhile, Senator Pauline Tully (SF) raised the "deep frustration" about the number of buildings left lying idle for many years.

She specifically raised the house attached to the garda station in Kilnaleck, which was used to house gardaí over the years. However, it has been lying idle for the past 20 years. Senator Tully previous request that the house be transferred for community use was refused.

"We are in the middle of a housing crisis and this house, which was recently renovated and which looks to be in good condition, could be used to house a family or members of An Garda Síochána," she pointed out, adding that it is "very frustrating" that she cannot get an answer to its intended use.

She also raised the OPW site near Ballyconnell, which is currently up for sale.

"Local representatives are wondering whether the money received for this site will be ring-fenced for the local community or whether it just all goes back into a big pot."

Minister of State Moran clarified: "If we have a Garda station or any other building, we offer it to the local authority first and then all the other agencies. "If they take up the offer, they get first priority on the building. Other than that, we work with the Garda and either put the building up for sale or up for auction. I have no control of that until the Garda releases the building to me. We then move on the property."