asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the existing arrangements for dealing with family law applications are inadequate and unsuitable; and if he will have the administration of family law removed from the environment of the custody division of the Dublin District Court and arrange for the provision of suitable accommodation and staff in Dublin for the administration of this law.
Written Answers. - Family Law Cases.
87.
In most areas throughout the State the number of applications for maintenance orders or other applications in the area of family law is not such as to pose any special accommodation or administrative problems at present. However, the question appears to be concerned mainly with the position in Dublin and I am aware of the need for better facilities there. At the moment negotiations for the acquisition of additional accommodation which have been proceeding for some time are at an advanced stage and, in case they do not come to fruition, an alternative plan is also being worked on.
While the negotiations are of course confidential, I have every reason to believe that there will be a satisfactory outcome to one or other of the projects shortly and that it will then be possible, through a series of changes which are already planned, to make much better accommodation available to deal with family cases.