SEVERAL CLOSED Garda stations may be handed back to local communities for their own use, it was confirmed yesterday.
“If any viable local proposals concerning the station are made from the community, I will consider this,” Brian Hayes, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said.
Mr Hayes was speaking as the first closed Garda station leased to a local community was formally handed over in north Dublin.
Passing on the station keys of Finglas station to Finglas Childcare Ltd, he said it was a perfect example of a common-sense approach to the use of the State’s existing portfolio.
“I am delighted to be here in Finglas this morning and this is an excellent example of finding a community use for a former Garda station,” he said.
Mr Hayes was following up on an initiative he announced last December, whereby some of the 41 Garda stations earmarked for closure could be used for community activities or sold to individual gardaí.
He said that with the downsizing of the public sector between now and 2015, the State’s property portfolio would have to be rationalised.
“If the assets have minimal value or can return little income for the State, I have an open mind about using the existing space for community or voluntary purposes,” Mr Hayes added.
He said that his officials were examining other potential State uses for closed Garda stations, when it was confirmed they were not required for any further operational use.
“If no such use is identified, arrangements will probably be made to dispose of the properties on the open market to maximise the benefit for the taxpayer,” Mr Hayes added.
Mr Hayes’s decision to leave open the option of leasing closed Garda stations to community groups may help to assuage local anger. In many communities, the Garda station and the post office are seen as critical to the local infrastructure.
In January, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said more Garda stations would be identified for closure next year.
