State property sell-off

The Government has sold off state property worth over €200m so far in 2006.

All proceeds from the sales go to the Finance Department to fund the decentralisation of over 10,000 civil and public servants out of Dublin.

The 2006 total of €209.8m was boosted by the disposal of the former UCD Veterinary College in Ballsbridge for €171.6m earlier this year.

Athboy Garda Station and the military barracks in Tipperary Town were also sold in recent months.

The Exchequer netted €57.2m in 2005 and €84.4m in 2004 from state property sales.

The disposal of five other properties, including two in central Dublin, is planned for the rest of the year.

The information was revealed in a written Dáil question tabled by Labour Party TD Eamon Gilmore and answered by Minister of State with responsibility for decentralisation, Tom Parlon.