(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that courthouse facilities in County Monaghan are inadequate, that the facilities to deal properly with family law matters in that county are inadequate and that the staffing, office accommodation and facilities to deal with the increased workload and the number of District Court clerks in that county are also inadequate; if he will have these shortcomings remedied as a matter of urgency; and if he will take steps to restore County Monaghan courthouse in order to provide proper facilities for the county registrar for Monaghan and his staff.
Written Answers. - Courthouse Facilities.
515.
Accommodation is provided for sittings of the District Court in the five main towns in County Monaghan, viz. Ballybay, Carrickmacross, Castleblaney, Clones and Monaghan town. There are normally two venues for the Circuit Court, Monaghan town and Castleblayney, but the Monaghan sittings are being taken at Castleblayney pending the restoration of the fire-damaged courthouse in Monaghan.
It is my policy to aim towards the provision of reasonable facilities of the kind referred to in all court premises, and I will avail myself of every suitable opportunity of ensuring that such facilities are provided. Cost has to be balanced against expected use. Reasonable regard must be had to the fact that the number of family law cases and other cases where provision for consultation in private between lawyers and their clients is particularly desirable are likely to be small in number in many court venues. Monaghan County Council, who are charged by law with responsibility for the provision and maintenance of court accommodation in their functional area, have been reminded that, even before the fire in Monaghan courthouse, it had been anticipated that they would satisfy the need for consultation rooms, waiting rooms and public toilets there, as well as for additional office and record storage space, in the context of the transfer of council staff to new accommodation and that it was expected that the restoration work would be planned so as to integrate with the provision of the additional facilities. I understand that re-roofing of the premises has been completed and that further progress depends on the progress of the council's office project. Council staff will have to be re-housed in the undamaged part of the courthouse until adaptation of the former technical school as office accommodation has been completed. This is expected to take about 18 months.
In so far as the number of district court clerks is concerned this has always been directly related to the case-count for the area and I have no reason to believe that the number has been inadequate. Should increased workloads result from the increased jurisdiction conferred by the Courts Act, 1981, additional district justices and courts staff will be recruited as required. As I indicated in reply to Dáil Questions Nos. 306 and 307 of 5 May last, specific provision was made for this in the 1982 Estimates for my Department. However, the need for additional appointments has not yet arisen since, for one thing, court staff are refusing to cooperate in implementing the new jurisdictions.