Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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873. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the sale of a site (details supplied); if it can be retained in public ownership due to its historical significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate. Details of properties which have been vacated or are due to be vacated are captured as part of the annual service planning strategy. These properties are reviewed for future use and suitability. They may be refurbished immediately, retained for future use or sold.

The HSE operates a protocol for the disposal of surplus property assets, in accordance with Government Policy for Disposal of Surplus Property . This protocol sets out three options:

1 Transfer to another public body or State agency;

2 Open market sale, subject to favourable market conditions;

3 Other uses such as community / voluntary use will be considered only if points 1 and 2 above do not materialise.

Any proposals for the disposal of surplus property assets must be considered in the context of the capital funding available to Health and the Government's Reform Plan relating to the State's property asset use and management. In this context, the HSE is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. These proceeds will be re-invested in delivering much needed health care infrastructure.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the current status of this property.