asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the local District Justice has complained of the condition of Ballycullane Courthouse, County Wexford, and that he indicated that he would not hold his court there again until such time as a vast improvement was made, and if he will ensure that the courthouse which is very central to to the New Ross area will be refurbished as soon as possible, so that no extra expense may be incurred by those attending.
Written Answers. - Ballycullane (Wexford) Courthouse Accommodation.
105.
I am aware that the premises in which Ballycullane District Court has been held are in a very dilapidated condition. The premises are so unsuitable that, in the view of the District Justice who sits there, it is not fitting to the dignity of the court that sittings should continue there and he has, therefore, ceased to hear cases at Ballycullane and requested that I formally approve of the closedown of this District Court venue by the abolition of Ballycullane District Court area.
I have consented to this request and I will make the formal order in the near future. In making this decision, I have taken into account the fact that the volume of court business for Ballycullane is small. The number of cases runs to about 600 per year and about 75 per cent of these are road traffic cases. Closing the venue, therefore, is unlikely to cause much inconvenience to the local population. On the other hand, closure will assist the streamlining of District Court business in Wexford through the re-allocation of the Ballycullane sitting days. When the order is made, business taken at Ballycullane will, thereafter, be taken Partially at New Ross and partially at Wexford.
Under the provisions of the Courthouse (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, responsibility rests with the relevant local authority for the provision and maintenance of courthouse accommodation. In the case of Ballycullane, I can see no justification for asking Wexford County Council to spend scarce public money on the provision of proper accommodation.