Vol. 498 No. 4
394 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the necessary funding in 1999 for the restructuring of Clones courthouse, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27671/98]
My Department funds the courts building programme which enables court-houses to be refurbished throughout the country in conjunction with local authorities who act as our agents. Refurbishment projects are prioritised on the basis of certain criteria, including office locations, the number of sittings, caseload, etc. On this basis the venues located in county towns are getting priority as they usually accommodate the District and Circuit Courts and the High Court on circuit and the offices of the District and Circuit Courts.
As the Deputy is aware, Clones courthouse has been closed due to the poor condition of the building and the court sittings are at present held in the local heritage centre. The courthouse will however be fully refurbished as part of the courts building programme, but it is not possible at present to say when this work will be undertaken. However, the Deputy may be assured that I am committed to providing modern court facilities in Clones as quickly as possible.
395 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the necessary funding in 1999 for the restructuring of Castleblayney courthouse, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27672/98]
My Department funds the courts building programme which enables courthouses to be refurbished throughout the country in conjunction with local authorities who act as our agents. Refurbishment projects are prioritised on the basis of certain criteria, including office locations, the number of sittings, caseload, etc. On this basis the venues located in county towns are getting priority as they usually accommodate the District and Circuit Courts and the High Court on circuit and the offices of the District and Circuit Courts.
Court sittings in Castleblayney have recently been transferred from the courthouse to a nearby hotel due to the very poor condition of the courthouse.
The space available in the courthouse at Castleblayney is more than sufficient to meet the needs of the courts. Monaghan County Council has recently forwarded to my Department a copy of a feasibility study for the renovation of Castleblayney markethouse, which was prepared on behalf of Castleblayney Cultural Group, and they have requested a meeting to discuss the provision of modern court accommodation in partnership with other agencies who may wish to be involved in the project. Officials of my Department will discuss the study with Monaghan County Council in the new year.
Castleblayney courthouse will be fully refurbished as part of the courts building programme, but it is not possible at present to say when this work will be undertaken. However, the Deputy may be assured that I am committed to providing modern court facilities in Castleblayney as quickly as possible.
