The Courts Service was established on 9 November 1999. One of the functions of the service is to provide, maintain and manage court buildings.
I am informed that plans are being prepared for the refurbishment of the courthouse in Castlebar in conjunction with Mayo County Council, which is acting on behalf of the Courts Service in relation to this project.
I understand that preliminary consultations have taken place with court users and it is expected that the accommodation to be provided in the refurbished courthouse will include three substantial courtrooms with adjoining Judges chambers, family law facilities, modern office accommodation with state of the art technology for the staff of the District and Circuit Court, modern accommodation for the barristers and solicitors, consultation-interview rooms, a victim support room and all other ancillary facilities. Proper holding cell facilities will also be provided for prisoners. The building will be fully accessible to people with disabilities.
I am informed that it is not possible at this stage to provide a precise timescale for the work given the nature of the planning, consultation and tendering processes. However, it is expected that plans will be completed by the end of March next. Tender documents will then be prepared and contractors will be invited to tender for the work. It is expected that, following a tender competition, work will commence on site in the latter part of 2000.
It is anticipated that approximately £750,000 will be spent on the courthouse project next year, and that the courthouse in Castlebar will be refurbished as quickly as possible to provide modern court facilities to all court users in Castlebar and the surrounding area.