927. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the former Hollywood Garda Station in Wicklow; if title issues have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58992/26]

The 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 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

As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.

The OPW policy in managing vacant and surplus State property, including the former Garda station and residence, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow is to:

1. Identify if the property/land is required or suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.

2. If there is no other State use identified for a property/land, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property/land on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.

3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property/land, 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/land and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).

In line with the above policy and in accordance with DPER Circulars 11/2015 and 17/2016, the OPW sought alternative State use by offering the former Garda station and residence at Hollywood to all relevant bodies.

A number of State bodies have considered acquiring the former Garda station at Hollywood but an alternative State use has yet to be identified for the property. There are a number of complex title issues associated with the former Garda station which the OPW, in conjunction with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, is currently working on. When these have been resolved, and if it is confirmed that there is no alternative State requirement for the property, the former Garda station at Hollywood will be prepared for disposal on the open market.