Vol. 498 No. 5
189 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has received from South Tipperary County Council for refurbishment and urgent repairs to Tipperary town court house; when the work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27995/98]
My Department funds the courts building programme which enables court-houses to be refurbished throughout the country in conjunction with local authorities who act as our agents. Refurbishment projects are prioritised on the basis of certain criteria, including office locations, the number of sittings, caseload, etc. On this basis the venues located in county towns are getting priority as they usually accommodate the District and Circuit Courts and the High Court on Circuit and the offices of the District and Circuit Courts.
I understand that Tipperary South Riding County Council recently undertook some improvement works to the courthouse in Tipperary town and some additional items of furniture have been purchased for the courthouse by my Department. Recently my Department asked Tipperary South Riding County Council, who act as the Department's agents in this matter, to nominate consultant architects to prepare plans for the refurbishment of the courthouse in Tipperary town. The next step is to appoint architects for the project and to have them draw up plans for the refurbishment of the courthouse in conjunction with my Department and Tipperary South Riding County Council. It is planned that the courthouse, which accommodates both the District and Circuit Courts will be fully refurbished as part of the courts building programme, but it is not possible at present to say when this work will be undertaken. However, the Deputy may be assured that I am committed to providing modern court facilities in Tipperary as quickly as possible.
