Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Maintenance of Courthouses.

Willie Penrose

Question:

191 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice if a commitment given some time ago that her Department will take over the full financial obligations relating to the maintenance and upkeep of courthouses from local authorities will now be fulfilled in view of the fact that the current position imposes a burden on local authority finances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [302/94]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

In March 1990 the Government decided that local authorities should be relieved of the financial burden of providing and maintaining courthouses and that the cost should in future be borne by the Exchequer, subject to a limit to be agreed annually between the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Justice.

A sum of £3.2 million was provided for this purpose in the 1991 Estimates. This provision was reduced to £1 million in the Financial Review of July 1991. A sum of £1.65 million was provided in 1992 with £1.92 million being provided in 1993. A sum of £6.5 million has been provided in 1994 for capital and maintenance works. This has been allocated to capital projects in Carlow, Carrick-on-Shannon, Clonmel, Cork, Donegal and Galway. It has also allowed for as many as 45 maintenance projects to be undertaken nationwide.

Since the Government decision of 1990, major works have been undertaken and concluded in Dún Laoghaire, Letterkenny and Athlone. A large number of other works have been approved and are under way. At present, due to budgetary constraints no decision has been taken to fund the day-to-day running costs of the courthouses which remain the responsibilities of the local authorities.

The position remains that a number of courthouses throughout the country still require renovation. Priorities have been established in my Department between the different premises requiring attention. I am pleased with the progress so far and I am confident that the next few years will see substantial improvements in the standard of court accommodation throughout the country.