Vol. 432 No. 3
105 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the dilapidated condition of the courthouse at Bantry, County Cork and to the fact that both Circuit and District Courts are no longer held on the premises; and if, in view of that situation, she will make a statement as to when funding will be provided to carry out renovations on the building.
I am aware of the physical condition of the courthouse in Bantry and I am also aware that neither the Circuit not District Court sit there at present.
Bantry courthouse is one of a number of courthouses throughout the country which require renovation. Because of the limited funds available for courthouse capital projects, priorities have had to be set and the allocation for this year is already fully committed. It is not possible, therefore, to undertake any further financial obligations this year. No decisions have yet been made about courthouse capital projects for 1994 or thereafter. A departmental review is currently under way to identify and priorities all court accommodation in need of attention with a view to ensuring that the major task of refurbishing courthouses can be tackled as quickly and effectively as resources will allow.
