asked the Minister for Justice if he will take steps to reduce overcrowding in family courts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Family Courts.
36.
Family law cases are heard in private, only those directly involved in any particular case being allowed to be present during the proceedings. Overcrowding of the court during such proceedings must accordingly be very rare.
The problem is not just physical overcrowding in the room itself but the overcrowding of the lists because of the lack of a special family court. Does the Minister accept that in these circumstances there is room for better facilities and a separate family court system?
Is the Deputy suggesting that this is what Deputy Browne meant in his question? I have replied to the question put by Deputy Browne.
This is an area in which I am interested. During a particular case only the people involved are allowed in the court room.
Question No. 37.
The problem relates to waiting facilities, in fact to the whole system.
I would ask the Minister to answer Question No. 37.
Would the Minister accept that there is need for better facilities and perhaps a separate family court system?
Apart from children's courts we have not received any complaints of overcrowding in regard to family courts.
Is the Minister aware that there was a promise of such facilities in the Fianna Fáil manifesto?
In relation to family courts or children's courts?
Family law generally, not just children's courts.
Special accommodation is being prepared at present in a rented office block at Ormond Quay for the hearing of District Court and High Court family law cases in Dublin. This accommodation includes two court rooms and waiting rooms et cetera and it is expected to be ready by the end of April. That is probably intended to clear up the difficulty the Deputy is talking about.
That is more information that we have had for quite a long time on this subject.
There is more forthcoming. I wish you would put down the questions and not be leaving them to Deputy Browne.
Three times we put it down and got no answer.