The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW) acquired/assembled a development site at Hammond Lane, Dublin 8, over a number of years. The purpose of this acquisition was to facilitate the development of a Family Court complex and office accommodation for the Court Service.
In relation to the current use of the site, the OPW was approached in 2019 by the developers of an adjoining site to request temporary use as a building compound. In October 2019, the Commissioners entered into a licence agreement with the contractor for a period of 1 year with 2 possible extensions of 6 months each permitted. A licence fee of €50,000 was payable for the duration of the licence. In October 2021, the OPW extended the licence for a further 12 month period at the request of the developers. A licence fee of €50,000 was payable for this extension.
It is envisaged that the site will ultimately transfer to the Courts Service to address the need for improved court accommodation for family law cases in Dublin. The development proposed for the site will provide a purpose built facility where family law cases can be dealt with in a dignified, secure and non-threatening environment with all required support services to hand. The complex is being designed with the needs of family law users in mind and is cognisant of reforms proposed in the Family Courts Bill and the Courts Service modernisation programme.
