Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Courthouse Buildings and Facilities.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

48 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether there is an urgent need to upgrade courthouse buildings and facilities in every area in the interest of the general public, legal practitioners, and the Garda; if he has had any discussions with the Minister for the Environment regarding this matter; if he has any plans to arrange for the transfer of the operation of this service to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am satisfied that those courthouses in Dublin city which are provided and maintained by the Office of Public Works are in generally good condition.

A few courthouses in Dublin and all courthouses outside Dublin are the responsibility of local authorities under the Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935. I accept that many of these courthouses are in deplorable condition due mainly to the reluctance of local authorities over the years to spend money on them. For this reason, the Government in March 1990, decided in principle to transfer this financial responsibility to the Exchequer. Unfortunately the very difficult financial situation and the continuing need to contain public expenditure has meant that it has been possible to implement the Government decision only to a very limited extent.

To date the available funds have been sufficient to enable only a small number of capital projects to be approved and it has not been possible to recoup any part of local authority expenditure on courthouse running costs. Regrettably there can be no change in that position for the current year. Local authorities are, accordingly, expected to continue to make provision for courthouse running costs and essential repairs as heretofore.

I will be keeping the matter under continuous review and it is my intention to implement the Government decision in full as soon as the financial situation permits, but I must emphasise that all of the courthouses in need of refurbishment cannot be dealt with at the same time. Financial resources will, I expect, continue to be limited for some time yet so that priorities will have to be set between the various premises requiring attention. So far as possible the cases of greatest need will be dealt with first. I am satisfied that in due course the new arrangements will lead to a significant improvement in the standard of court accommodation.