Vol. 497 No. 4
159 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the upgrading and improvement of facilities at Kilcock courthouse, County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of these facilities; the schedule of required works and timescale for achieving objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25302/98]
I am aware that the facilities at Kilcock Courthouse are inadequate to meet the needs of modern day court requirements. The requirements of a District Court venue such as Kilcock include the provision of a modern courtroom, judge's chamber, family law facilities, legal practitioners' room and consultation rooms. Of course access for people with disabilities must also be provided.
My Department's courts building programme is addressing the problem of poor courts accommodation throughout the country on an ongoing basis. While many courthouses have been refurbished under this programme there is still a considerable amount of work to be done.
My Department is in consultation with Kildare County Council regarding the provision of modern court facilities in Kilcock either through the refurbishment of the existing courthouse or the establishment of a courthouse in another location in the town. It is not possible at this stage to say when work will commence on this project irrespective of which option is chosen.
