asked the Minister for Justice whether he is satisfied with the present level of courtroom accommodation at Galway County Borough courthouse; and the number of weeks of District Court work lost during sittings of the High Circuit Court.
153.
Written Answers. - District Courthouses.
151.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will arrange for an immediate inspection of Galway courthouse by the Office of Public Works to ascertain the necessary repairs that need to be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
154.
asked the Minister for Justice the Government Department which initiated the major works at Waterford and Tralee courthouses; the amount of money spent in each case; who carried out the necessary work; who paid for the work done; and the reason that there was a departure from the usual method of carrying out such works.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 153 and 154 together. There are two courtrooms in Galway courthouse and I am satisfied that these are sufficient. No District Court sittings have been lost to date as a result of sittings of the High or Circuit Courts. When both courtrooms are required by the High Court the local authority provides alternative temporary accommodation for the District Court in a local hall. Under the provisions of the Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, responsibility for providing and maintaining courthouses rests with the relevant local authority. It is a matter for the county registrar, in the first instance, to arrange with the local authority for any repairs he considers necessary. In the event of failure by a local authority to keep their court accommodation in proper repair and condition the Minister for Justice is empowered under section 6 (1) (a) of the 1935 Act to direct the Commissioners for Public Works to carry out the necessary repairs on the basis that the local authority will be required to recoup the costs and expenses involved.
My Department have been in correspondence with Galway Corporation impressing on them their responsibilities in this matter. While the power to involve the office of Public Works has been invoked in the recent past in relation to specific works for Galway courthouse, I do not consider that such involvement would be warranted at this stage in relation to further works considered necessary, but I am keeping the situation under review.
The major restoration of Tralee courthouse was undertaken by Kerry County Council and the project was completed in September 1981. The total cost of the project (£577,000) was borne by Kerry County Council who were given access to the local loans fund for the purpose.
Waterford courthouse was restored by the Office of Public Works on foot of a direction by the Minister for Justice under the 1935 Act. The project was completed in August 1982. The total cost (approximately £1.7 million) was met initially by the Office of Public works but the cost was recouped by Waterford Corporation which were given local loan fund facilities for that purpose.