Courts Service

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Questions (509)

Dara Calleary

Question:

525 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Circuit Court venues in the country; if he will outline each in a tabular basis on a county basis; if he will confirm that each venue will continue as a Circuit Court venue for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32505/12]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I wish to inform the Deputy that under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and have been informed by the Service that there are 52 circuit court venues sitting in 8 circuits as set out in the table below:

Circuit	County	Venues
Eastern	Louth	Dundalk
	Meath	Trim
	Kildare	Naas, Athy
	Wicklow	Bray
Northern	Cavan	Cavan
	Monaghan	Monaghan, Carrickmacross
	Leitrim	Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton
	Donegal	Letterkenny, Donegal, Buncrana
Western	Galway	Galway, Loughrea, Clifden
	Mayo	Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Swinford
South-Western	Clare	Ennis, Kilrush
	Limerick	Limerick, Newcastlewest
	Kerry	Tralee, Killarney, Listowel
South-Eastern	Waterford	Waterford, Dungarvan
	Wexford	Wexford
	Tipperary	Clonmel, Nenagh, Thurles
	Kilkenny	Kilkenny
	Carlow	Carlow
Midland	Laois	Portlaoise
	Offaly	Tullamore
	Westmeath	Mullingar, Athlone
	Longford	Longford
	Roscommon	Roscommon
	Sligo	Sligo
Cork	Cork	Cork, Bandon, Bantry, Clonakilty, Fermoy, Mallow, Midleton, Skibberreen, Youghal
Dublin	Dublin	Dublin*

* Dublin is regarded as one circuit court venue although the court may sit in a number of venues. The Courts Service has informed me that it is currently in the process of a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country and no court venue or office is excluded from this process.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the Service, in common with all other public sector organisations, is obliged to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect to ensure continuity of service with reduced budgets and resources. Greater flexibility in the deployment of available resources will be critical in maintaining the delivery of front line court services. The Service has indicated that its policy in considering the future operational viability of any venue is to consult with local stakeholders, however, the decision in relation to the closure of a venue is a matter for the Courts Service Board.

In addition, under Section 10 of the Courts Of Justice Act 1947, it is a matter for the President of the Circuit Court to determine where the Circuit Court shall sit within each circuit.