There are 73 properties owned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) lying vacant across the country at present, 20 of which are Garda stations, according to new figures.
The garda buildings have been vacant for over a decade, with several being prepared for disposal this year or next year.
The stations in Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Wicklow have sat unused for at least ten years or more, according to data published by the Department of Public Expenditure.
Of the 73 vacant OPW properties, 52 are buildings and 21 are sites.
Seventeen of the sites are former garda stations that were closed under the 2012 and 2013 policing plans, as well as another two former stations – Lissycasey, Clare and Ballymote, Sligo closed in 2015 and 2009 respectively – and two former garda residences in Kealkil and Ballylongford, both closed in 2012.
Most of the vacant garda buildings are being prepared for disposal – a sale of transfer – either this year or next year.
The former station in Na Brocacha/Cloghan, Donegal is going to be leased to Donegal County Council and the Newbliss, Monaghan station is being transferred to Monaghan County Council, while the Ballymote station closed in 2009 is under consideration for use by a community group.
In Kerry, seven cottages on Valentia Island formerly used by the Coastguard are being examined for potential future State use.
Seven former Customs sites and properties are either being prepared for disposal this year or under consideration for future State use.
A former Met Éireann station in Birr, Offaly last used in 2009 is being prepared for disposal this year or next year.
Another former Met site in Mullingar, Westmeath that hasn’t been used since 1974 is also under OPW ownership but has title issues that need to be resolved before a disposal can be planned.
The release of the property vacancy figures comes days after Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD, Thomas Gould described as "insulting" recently obtained data showing that nearly 800 council houses have been vacant across the State for at least a year.
“There is nothing more insulting to those impacted by the housing emergency than the sight of a perfectly good home left empty,” he said.
