Peter Burke
Question:352. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the capital project at Roscommon courthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/19]
View answerTuesday, 11 June 2019
Questions (352)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be 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, a number of developments in relation to Courts Service accommodation requirements are outlined in the Government's recent National Development Plan 2018 - 2027. They include:
- 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 An Clochan Liath (Dungloe) to serve as the Gaeltacht court for the region, and Tuam;
- Regional Family Law Centres;
- 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.
Furthermore, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that in 2018 the Courts Service acquired full ownership of the historic Roscommon Courthouse from Roscommon County Council. The Courts Service intends to refurbish the courthouse and to use the space previously occupied by the council to provide additional facilities for court users.