Vol. 447 No. 11
212 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has for the improvement of court facilities at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; if these improvements will require additional staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1269/95]
Officials of my Department have been in contact with Cork County Council regarding the renovation and refurbishing of Mallow Courthouse. Sketch plans have been prepared and work is continuing on completion of this planning process. Definitive costings are not yet available but the project is estimated to cost in excess of £0.5 million.
My Department is currently finalising a programme of refurbishment works for 1995. In formulating the programme, it is necessary, obviously, to take account of existing contractual commitments, available resources and the degree of urgency attaching to particular projects. I am very conscious of the need to proceed with works at Mallow but am not in a position, at this point, to be specific as to the progress that can be made in 1995.
The proposed refurbishment works will not have any staffing implications but as in all the major courthouse refurbishment projects provision is being made for the possible expansion of staff numbers in the future. There are no proposals to increase the number of staff in Mallow at this stage.
