Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018
148. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made on the commitment in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 in relation to the provision of a standard county-type court facility in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48483/18]
View answerAs 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.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that Naas/North Kildare is one of a number of locations identified where there will be a requirement for additional court facilities in the future. It is included among a number of developments in relation to Courts Service accommodation requirements that are outlined in the Government's recent National Development Plan 2018 -2027. These include the following:
- Further new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard (including Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon) and further provincial locations such as Dungloe and Tuam;
- Construction of standard county town type court facilities at a number of locations in County Dublin and also in North Kildare, Bray and Navan;
- A nationwide condition survey of all court buildings in the estate will be undertaken to determine their condition and identify works required in relation to any issues identified and meet ongoing maintenance requirements.
The precise allocation and timing of additional funding over the entire ten year period remains to be fully determined. It will be dependent on the outcome of further detailed planning and analysis of costs which will determine prioritisation of projects from a timing and budgetary perspective.
The Courts Service has further advised that, as it will not be possible to provide the full range of additional facilities on the current courthouse site in Naas, the Courts Service will be exploring site options.
