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Court Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Ceisteanna (204)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

204. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 22 March 2018, when the promised review of the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20146/18]

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Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that it is currently concentrating on the development or refurbishment of courthouses at a number of provincial city/county town venues. As part of a major Public Private Partnership  initiative, new courthouses have been delivered at Drogheda, Letterkenny, Wexford, Limerick and Waterford since June 2017 with a further 2 projects to be delivered at Cork and Mullingar in the coming weeks and months.

The Courts Service has further advised that on completion of this major programme of work there are 5 provincial city/county town venues still in need of major investment in court facilities, these being Tralee, Galway, Wicklow, Portlaoise and Roscommon. The Courts Service has confirmed that collectively these cities and towns will be the next priority for investment in courthouse facilities outside of the capital under the Courts Service provincial capital building programme. The Courts Service is also considering the development of Courts facilities in other smaller locations.

The Courts Service has informed me that Kilcock Courthouse in north CountyKildarewas closed in July 2016 on health and safety grounds and that District Court sittings were transferred to Naas. The Courts Service has also informed me that it plans to review the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock in the near future and that this will include a local consultation process. No date has yet been fixed for the commencement of the review.

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