Theresa Ahearn
Question:32 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent to date on the restoration of the courthouse in Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Clonmel (Tipperary) Courthouse Restoration.
The Deputy will be aware that the restoration of the Courthouse is already underway.
In the period ending December, 1990, the county council borrowed £0.75 million for Phase I of the scheme. These loans have since been written off as a result of a decision by the Minister for Finance, following the Government decision of March, 1990, to relieve local authorities of the financial burden of providing and maintaining court accommodation.
The arrangement wherby my Department recoups to local authorities the capital cost of approved major courthouse renovation projects was introduced in 1991. Under that arrangement a total of £23,000 has been recouped to Tipperary (S.R.) County Council to-date in respect of professional fees related to the planning of Phase II of the Clonmel Courthouse restoration project.