asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to take over the provision, repair and upkeep of courthouses required by his Department in the Republic and to include these matters in his estimates for the coming year, thus relieving the ratepayers of this onerous burden.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Upkeep of Courthouses.
41.
The Government have under consideration the question of capital expenditure on courthouses and have decided, as an initial step, to set up an inter-departmental committee which will consider, among other things, whether a prototype building could be devised which would serve for both courthouse and other purposes
Additionally, the committee which is inquiring into Court Practices and Procedures is considering the venues at which court sittings may be held in the future and it may be that, as a result of what they may recommend, some existing courthouses will be closed.
As soon as the reports of these committees have been received and examined, the Government will give further consideration to the question of capital expenditure, but I cannot say how soon this point will be reached. In the meantime, it is not the intention to alter the position in which, pursuant to the Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, the maintenance of courthouses is the responsibility of the local authorities.
Is the Minister aware that we in Cork County Council had an estimate for £22,000 for the upkeep of these courthouses during the next 12 months? I wish to inform the Minister that I have no intention of placing that burden on the shoulders of the large number of ratepayers of my county who have to come in there as unpaid jurors to take up these cases. I do not know where the Minister will find the money but we have no intention of striking any rate for it in the coming year.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
I am aware that the maintenance of courthouses is not very popular with local authorities. The whole matter is under consideration.