Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
543. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the plans of the Courts Service for the two or three storey over basement red brick buildings at a location (details supplied) that appears to have been vacant since the last century. [13641/19]
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 inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the two buildings referred to by the Deputy accommodated the traffic courts until approximately 1997 when the business was transferred on health and safety grounds to an alternative location. The buildings have been vacant since then and are in poor condition.
The Courts Service has advised that during 2019 it will undertake a nationwide condition survey of the buildings in its property portfolio to ascertain their condition and to quantify the works and expenditure necessary to bring any buildings which are identified as being below standard up to an acceptable condition. I am informed that the former traffic court buildings will be included in this survey and that it is anticipated that the extent of the works required to return these two buildings to a safe and acceptable standard will be significant. Once the result of the survey is known the Courts Service will be better placed to consider the future role of both buildings.
