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Court Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Questions (1015, 1016, 1017)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

1015. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the savings to the State which it is anticipated will arise from the proposed closure of the courthouses at Ballyhaunis and Swinford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/13]

View answer

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

1016. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a cost benefit analysis regarding the decision by the Court Service to close the Courthouses at Ballyhaunis and Swinford and transfer the administration and sittings to the District Court Office, Castlebar and the courthouse in Castlebar respectively to include an analysis of the cost of the hours Ballyhaunis and Swinford gardaí might be expected to now spend in Castlebar for District Court sittings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/13]

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Michelle Mulherin

Question:

1017. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the significance the Courts Service places on lack of availability of public transport for persons when deciding to close courthouses in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37087/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1015 to 1017, inclusive, together. I wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of accommodation for court sittings.

I am informed that the Courts Service in considering any venue for closure undertakes a cost analysis exercise which includes an assessment of the costs associated with the holding of court sittings in a court venue over a 12 month period. I am informed that while the assessment would not cover the cost of the number of hours Gardaí from Swinford and Ballyhaunis would be expected to spend in Castlebar Court for District Court sittings, the cost analysis includes an assessment of the net Garda travel and subsistence costs based on Garda attendances at the venue identified for closure when compared with the proposed alternative venue calculated over the number of sittings held over a period of 3 months and extrapolated over a 12 month period; the travel and subsistence costs for courts staff attending the identified venue when compared with the alternative venue; the travel and subsistence costs for the permanently assigned Judge to the relevant District; additional legal aid costs arising from the holding of the court sittings over the 3 month period extrapolated over a 12 month period and operational costs associated with the identified venue over a 12 month period e.g. Courthouses maintenance, light, heat & fuel.

I am informed that the closure of Swinford Courthouse would yield estimated annual savings of €7,598 for the Courts Service, while the net exchequer savings will amount to €3,206 per annum. The closure of Ballyhaunis Courthouse would yield estimated annual savings of €5,148 for the Courts Service, while the net exchequer savings will amount to €1,325 per annum. Additionally, as part of the detailed assessment undertaken, the Office of Public Works were requested to undertake an assessment of the condition of both Swinford and Ballyhaunis Courthouses. I am informed that their report indicated that Swinford required immediate remedial works at a cost of circa €60,000 with an equivalent cost of circa €134,000 for Ballyhaunis. Their report also indicated that both Courthouses would require further works in a 3 – 5 year time period at a total estimated cost of €170,000.

As you are aware, during the course of 2012 the Courts Service completed a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country. The purpose of this review was to establish a framework within which venues could be considered for closure taking account of a range of criteria such as caseload, proximity to an alternative venue, physical condition of the building, availability of cells etc. Each venue identified for consideration for closure was the subject of a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case. During this assessment and the preparation of the business case, the question of the availability or otherwise of public transport between the identified venues and the proposed alternative venues was considered. This methodology was followed in the case of both Swinford and Ballyhaunis. The Building Committee and the Courts Service Board were informed that there was a limited public transport service between Swinford/Ballyhaunis and Castlebar. Additionally the issue of public transport between both venues and Castlebar was specifically referenced in some submissions made to the Courts Service during the assessment process and I am informed that a copy of every submission/representation received was circulated to each member of the board in advance of the meeting on 1st July 2013 when the Courts Service Board made the decision to close both Swinford and Ballyhaunis Courthouses.

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