The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties and the arrangements involved are set out in Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform circulars, Circular 11/2015 on protocols for the transfer and sharing of State property assets, and Circular 17/2016 on the policy for property acquisition and disposal of surplus property. The OPW’s policy in managing surplus properties is to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be repurposed for Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties are retained in anticipation of potential State use or development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision. If no State use is identified, the OPW considers whether open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions. 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. As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until it is absolutely certain that there is no alternative State use for that property. The OPW has disposed of 171 properties over the past ten years, garnering an income of more than €35.5 million for the Exchequer. The breakdown for each of the years 2015 to 2024 is as follows: 28 properties disposed of in 2015 for €3,590,198; 19 properties disposed of in 2016 for €3,338,500; eight properties disposed of in 2017 for €522,500; ten properties disposed of in 2018 for €2,112,011; seven properties disposed of in 2019 for €5,250,500; 22 properties disposed of in 2020 for €2,550,000;-----
Sentiment score: 0.05
-----13 properties disposed of in 2021 for €1,508,803; 24 properties disposed of in 2022 for €8.6 million;-----
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-----22 properties disposed of in 2023 for €3.7 million; and 18 properties disposed of in 2024 for €4.3 million. This amounts to a total of 171 properties for €35,509,162.
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There is a clear process we have to follow and the Deputy is well aware that, if I did not follow it, he would be standing opposite telling me I had done this and that and had not followed the proper procedure. Fourteen properties went to Tipperary County Council for social housing. Eight residential units in Dublin city centre were leased to housing agencies. A building in Crumlin was leased to Dublin City Council for use as a family hub. Two former Garda stations in Cork were transferred to social housing. Three Garda stations in Limerick went to social housing. The list goes on. We have followed all the criteria that are in place. No more than any other agency, the OPW has an enormous number of properties. For some of them, we go through the process of re-leasing them to local authorities. We always look at State bodies first and then we re-lease them to the local authorities if they require them. However, it is not always the case that the properties are situated in areas where they are wanted by the different departments.
Sentiment score: 0.03
The Government is doing everything possible to help those people in hotels. On the question the Deputy asked, we have offered a great number of properties to different organisations, such as local authorities and local groups. If the Deputy knows where there are properties, he should make that information available to me and I will look into them. It is easy to stand up - I am not being critical here - and talk about properties in different parts of the country, but it is not always easy to find an end use for them because some are in isolated areas. There is always a use for any property that is in an urban setting, but some of the properties we have are not in areas where people require them. If the Deputy knows someone who requires a property and if he has information, I would be glad to work with him to see whether we can find an end use for it.
Sentiment score: 0.34
The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was the largest study of flood risk in the country, studying the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. Following and based on the CFRAM study outputs, Galway City Council appointed consultant engineers in November 2020 to design an option to protect the city from a significant flood event in the future. The work completed by the consultants has identified that the scale of flood risk in Galway city is much greater than that identified in the strategic CFRAM study. A revised scope reflecting the additional works for the scheme was presented by the scheme’s consultants to Galway City Council, the leading authority for the scheme. The scheme was originally intended to protect 312 properties. The revised scheme is designed to protect 940 properties. The revised scope includes quay walls that extend from the Galway dock area, including along Long Walk and the Spanish Arch. The properties in the Claddagh area, along Grattan Road and Father Griffin Road will be protected by the construction of a quay wall along the Claddagh basin and Nimmo's Pier. Flood defences along the property line, localised land and road raising in Salthill will manage wave overtopping risks. Galway City Council submitted a request for additional funding to the OPW for an increase in the fees to facilitate the revised scope, and this was subsequently approved in June 2024. The revised programme was published on the scheme website in January 2025, with the scheme currently progressing with development of the design options. There will be an opportunity for the public to view and comment on the design options, currently scheduled to take place in June 2025. Thereafter, the emerging preferred option will be significantly developed by the scheme consultants in conjunction with Galway City Council, and it is anticipated that this will be finalised in early 2026.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I really understand. I spoke to a great number of people in Galway. I was there when it flooded in the days when I was Minister of State previously. I understand the Deputy's frustration, but compared to the initial CFRAM study, we have gone from 312 to 940 properties. That takes in a huge area of Galway and many stakeholders. A lot of consultation has taken place. We have one chance to get it right. We cannot afford to get it wrong. There is a lot of work going on. From the day a scheme is announced to the day we get it on the ground takes between nine and ten years. It is very frustrating. We have a job in hand, however, working with the lead authority, which in this case is Galway City Council. I work closely with the officials, no more than the Deputy, and I give them every opportunity. If they need to do works such as minor works, the money is there for them. I have always helped to facilitate them in any way we can, as does the whole of government.
Sentiment score: 0.05
I am nearly afraid to say "a hands-on approach" because, as the Deputy said, four Ministers told her they were taking a hands-on approach. My-----
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My interest in flooding is no different from the Deputy's or the whole country. I give her a firm commitment. I have to follow the rules that are set out in front of me. I am working with the local authority and the Deputy and other Deputies from the region, and I will continue to work with them as I have in the past. My job as Minister of State is to deliver a scheme and when it goes from 312 properties to nearly 1,000, it means the scheme is broader and bigger and takes a lot more time. I understand that, and I hope the Deputy does. However, I will give her a commitment-----
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I could talk to the Deputy about my town of Athlone-----
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It started off with four or five cells and ended up with 11 or 13. These all take time. The CFRAM programme set out to do a job. It has done the job and when they appointed the consultants, they realised the scheme was way bigger than was foreseen. I will give the assurance that I will be hands-on and I will do what is necessary to bring it to a conclusion.
Sentiment score: 0.07
The OPW, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is co-ordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s national flood risk policy. A broad range of structural and non-structural measures have already been implemented to address flood risk under an approach structured around three pillars: prevention, protection, and preparedness. In the course of its work, the OPW engages with other Departments and State agencies through a variety of key groups and I will briefly outline the work of some of these groups. In 2016, the Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to improve co-ordination between all State agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce co-ordinated flood risk solutions. The group, which is chaired by the OPW, co-ordinates the work of all members to maximise flood risk mitigation. The group meets biannually and is due to meet this month. The group produces an annual work programme which demonstrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The group has structured progress in several collaborative initiatives, including a planned programme of maintenance works. The interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group chaired by the OPW is a whole-of-government cross-sectoral group which co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation. The purpose of the group is to give regard to the extent of non-structural solutions informing the implementation strategy of the 2018 flood risk management plans and to ensure policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly are carefully considered. The group is preparing a wide range of significant policy initiatives, including avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, protecting at-risk communities against their significant flood risk and planning responses to reduce the impacts of flood events on communities and individuals. Many actions identified are now being implemented by the relevant Departments and offices. The group meets twice per annum and last met on 23 October 2024, with a further meeting due to be held imminently. I will give the Deputy more on that later.
Sentiment score: 0.03
I want to answer the question put to me. Other stuff has been brought up in relation to the Deputy's area and I fully understand that. I will get to him on that. On the question, I can only say what I say to every Member of the House. When a politician turns the sod at a Garda station, it could be 11 years before we see that Garda station. The very same occurs with planning permission for flood defences. There are many hurdles. As a Department, we have to adhere to all these environmental things in order to deliver these schemes. Even though I announced a scheme back in the day, things change and can delay a scheme. I will get back to the Deputy with a detailed answer in due course.
Sentiment score: -0.03
I will give the Deputy an answer to the question he put to me but some of the issues he is putting to me now are very detailed. I apologise for the simple reason that last time we were here, he put questions to me and I did not have the answers. However, this time I have the answer and it is back to him. I will gladly work with him. There is a huge body of work being done. It is hard to predict when we will have everything because it changes from time to time. The different groups we have now set up for flooding are working well and are well maintained and managed. Good proposals have come from them but I would gladly sit down with the Deputy and have a chat about this.
Sentiment score: 0.26
I thank the Deputy for his words of encouragement. The OPW is responsible for the conservation, care and preservation of Kilkenny Castle and parkland. In 2024, there were approximately 417,000 ticket visitors to Kilkenny Castle and 780,000 to the parkland. The OPW delivers an annual programme of maintenance and conservation at the castle. Planned maintenance works, including mechanical and electric works and window maintenance, continue to be undertaken. Painting and decorating, cabling, lighting and infrastructure upgrades and improvements in the castle wing were undertaken during 2024. Further maintenance works on lighting in the picture gallery will be taking place this year. Improvement works to the river steps and further painting work are also planned for 2025. Preliminary investigations of the cause of water ingress in some areas were conducted in January. This work identified a need for some flashing and slate repair to or replacement of certain roofs. Following further assessment, it is expected that some of this work can be addressed in 2025. Some of the necessary roof works may be incorporated in the future development works in the picture gallery wing. Archaeological investigation works were conducted last November to investigate subsurface conditions. The findings of this investigation will inform the engineering approach for conducting the forthcoming development works, including courtyard resurfacing that will take place as part as of the major development of the project. The OPW has secured planning permission for major conservation work to improve accessibility to the castle. These proposed works will facilitate universal access. The project will incorporate lift access to the picture gallery, as well as a changing places bathroom facility. As part of these works, the OPW plans to carry out fabric repair works to the picture gallery. Section 57 consent has been obtained from the local planning authority for these works. The visitor reception and ticket office will be relocated. The location of the current ticket office is unsatisfactory and too small to accommodate the two guides needed during busy periods. The project team is engaged in producing a detailed design. Subject to the availability of technical resources and funding, this project will be put out to tender next year.
Sentiment score: 0.17
You could not get better advertising than that. When he mentioned getting the cheque book, I looked at the man on my right and he smiled. We all know, particularly those of us in government, how important Kilkenny Castle is to the economy and to Kilkenny. The OPW has invested hugely in it and will continue to do so. As I stated, there are some good projects coming down the line that will enhance the experience for visitors. We will continue to do that. I will gladly work with the Deputy and other Members in relation to this matter. The Deputy referred to the castle as a jewel in the crown. That is the case with all our national monuments. When we think of what the castle does and provides, we can see that it is of enormous value. The weather has been very good over the past week. People have been talking about flooding, but the weather has been good for the visitors. I agree with the Deputy's suggestion. Everyone should get into their cars and travel. I encourage that them to do so.
Sentiment score: 0.26
I am invited to attend many events. I appreciate the offer. I have to go up and down the country to look at flood schemes. I assure the Deputy that I have been in Kilkenny Castle. I met with my team yesterday to discuss a number of different projects. Kilkenny Castle was at the top of the list. We are investing heavily in the project. I will always support Deputies coming to my Department and, in particular, to me to discuss projects like this.
Sentiment score: 0.21