As the Deputy is aware, 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. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that, while attempts by the Court Service over a number of years to find a suitable site have been unsuccessful, it remains an objective of the Courts Service to provide a new courthouse in Galway city. The Courts Service is continuing to consider possibilities within the limits of its capital budget and will continue to do so should other opportunities present in the future.
The provision of a new Garda Divisional Headquarters in Galway was included in the special Government stimulus package announced in July 2012. It is intended that this project will be delivered by means of a Public Private Partnership and the necessary work involved is being undertaken by the relevant agencies. As the arrangements to be put in place for Public Private Partnerships are complex, it is not possible at this stage to indicate when the specific elements of the project will be completed. However, I can assure the Deputy that they are being treated as a priority.