Vol. 434 No. 5
63 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to the poor condition of Bantry Courthouse, County Cork, it is not possible to hold courts there; if the necessary refurbishment will be undertaken; and if so, when.
Bantry Courthouse is in very poor condition. Since February 1992 sittings of the District Court have been held in the County Council offices in Bantry and sittings of the Circuit Court have been held in Skibbereen.
In early 1991, Cork County Council, following a series of complaints about dampness and lack of heat, carried out an engineer's inspection of the premises. It was found that the nearby tidal conditions were causing severe dampness in the courthouse. The council stated that because of the poor condition of the premises they could not instal new heating. They estimated that the renovation of the courthouse would cost in the region of £120,000. In addition compliance with the fire safety regulations would cost approximately £14,300 extra, all 1991 prices.
It was at the request of the County Council that the courts moved out of the building. The District Court now sits in the County Council offices and this arrangement is working well.
I should also mention that a total of 26 other courthouses are in need of major repairs, a number of which would merit priority over Bantry. Because it was not possible to give any undertaking as to when funds would be available to renovate the courthouse I was delighted to be able to react positively to a request I received from Bantry Town Commissioners that they be authorised to lease the courthouse to voluntary organisations who would renovate it and put it to use for the benefit of the public, rather than let it become further delapidated.
