asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the very serious lack of accommodation for family law cases to be held in private, even though they are entitled to the maximum privacy; and if he will immediately provide finance to have the matter resolved.
Written Answers. - Courthouse Accommodation.
669.
Limerick East): I am not aware of any lack of accommodation for the hearing of family law cases in private, though ancillary facilities including consultation facilities are not always what we would wish. The position in Dublin differs from that in the rest of the country.
In Dublin, where the Office of Public Works is responsible for the provision and maintenance of courthouse accommodation, the District Court and the High Court each has a specially provided family law courtroom, complete with waiting rooms and consultation rooms, in Ormond House, while similar facilities are available to the Circuit Court in Dolphin House.
Outside Dublin, while I am, of course, anxious that proper facilities be provided, the position is that responsibility for providing and maintaining court accommodation is vested by law in the local authorities. I have no power to make finance available to them for the purpose.