Vol. 518 No. 6
466 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has a monitoring facility in place regarding conditions in District Courts; the plans, if any, there are where conditions are substandard to upgrade premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12392/00]
I understand from the Courts Service that it is preparing a five to seven year building programme at present to provide modern court accommodation throughout the country. Court buildings are selected for refurbishment based on certain criteria, including condition of the building, office locations, buildings in daily use, number of court sittings, caseload, etc. In addition, the Courts Service is making arrangements for a maintenance programme for its building stock which will ensure that courthouse accommodation is kept up to standard.
For example, work will commence on Dundalk courthouse later this year and planning has recently commenced on the provision of a new courthouse in Drogheda. Major refurbishment is under way at present on courthouses at Trim, Carrickmacross, Buncrana, Mallow, Carlow, phase 2, Athy and Sligo. Plans are at an advanced stage for the refurbishment of other courthouses, such as Limerick Circuit Court, Castlebar, Longford, Ennis, phase 2, Cork Circuit Court, phase 2, and Boyle, and many other projects are at the early planning stages.
If the Deputy has a concern about a particular court venue I would be happy to raise the matter with the Courts Service on his behalf if he provides the details to me.
