Vol. 549 No. 2
151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, arising from funding provided by his Department, the Courts Service will be in a position to improve the accommo dation at the various courthouses throughout the country, including the family law courts; if the backlog is likely to be cleared in the course of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6221/02]
152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has direct responsibility for providing the necessary funding to the Courts Service to facilitate the upgrading and improvement of existing courthouses and the provision of new courthouses where necessary; the extent to which his current budget is liable to meet the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6222/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.
In November 1999, I established the independent Courts Service on a statutory basis under the Courts Service Act, 1998. Under the Act, responsibility for the management of the courts system is now conferred on the Courts Service. Section 5 of the Courts Service Act, 1998, provides, inter alia, that the functions of the service shall be to provide, manage and maintain court buildings and to provide facilities for court users.
I am pleased to have been able to obtain Government approval for the allocation of significant funds for courthouse upgrading in recent years. During the lifetime of this Government, the financial provision for court buildings has increased from €11.3 million, £8.9 million, in 1997 to €26.9 million, £21.2 million, in 2002, which represents an increase of 138%.
Having regard to the statutory independence of the Courts Service, the Deputy will appreciate that it is a matter for the Courts Service to decide how funding provided is specifically allocated in connection with its ongoing replacement and refurbishment programme.
Question No. 153 answered with Question No. 150.
Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 27.
