928. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on levels of vacancy across OPW properties; the properties vacant in the Phoenix Park, including the former Garda Commissioner’s residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58993/26]

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility, on behalf of the State, for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate.

This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.

Within the overall estate there are a number of sundry residential dwellings that are intrinsic to historic estates, gardens and parks, including the Phoenix Park, and are an important part of the built heritage under the OPW’s remit. Due to their historic nature / location and protected status they are not stand alone properties that can be dealt with independently of the estate / park in which they are located.

In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of vacant or non-operational properties, at any given time, as the portfolio could not function without the flexibility that it provides.

Not all vacant properties are deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or suitable for disposal, and will remain unoccupied while their future use is being considered.

Currently there are 69 surplus vacant properties owned by the OPW, consisting of 50 buildings and 19 sites.

This does not include those properties that are an intrinsic part of heritage estates or gardens managed by the OPW that are not considered to be surplus to requirements or part of the OPW's disposal programme.

Within the Phoenix Park there are 21 unoccupied residential properties, 11 under OPW management with the remaining residential properties under the management and control of other state bodies.

The residence previously occupied by a Garda Commissioner is expected to be occupied in Q4 2026.