Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 1

Written Answers. - Court Accommodation.

Dick Roche

Question:

169 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is intended to abandon hearings of Blessington Court at St. Joseph's Hall, Blessington, County Wicklow, due to the unsuitability of the venue; if his attention has further been drawn to the intention to transfer future hearings of the court to Naas which will cause some considerable inconvenience; the plans, if any, he has to restore court hearings to Blessington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23758/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The provision and maintenance of courthouses is the responsibility of the new courts service which was established on 9 November 1999 in accordance with the provisions of the Courts Service Act, 1998.

I am informed by the Courts Service that the local District Court judge intends to transfer Blessington District Court sittings to Naas as he finds the present accommodation, which is located in an extension to a community hall, unsuitable as a courthouse. There is no suitable alternative court accommodation available in Blessington.

Naas Courthouse was fully refurbished and extended in 1997 at a cost of just over £2 million and has three courtrooms with the necesary ancillary facilities for the public, the legal profession and all court users. Modern office accommodation was also provided for the staff of the District and Circuit Court. In addition there is a dedicated Family Law suite where sensitive family law cases can be heard separately from criminal cases.

The judge's request to transfer District Court sittings from Blessington to Naas is under con sideration by the Courts Service and a decision will be made in the near future.