Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
605. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to refurbish the old courthouse in Tuam, County Galway, which has lain idle and is derelict for ten years (details supplied); and the timeline for the new facility to be built. [6379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following update on this matter.
The National Development Plan 2018-2027 includes a number of Courthouse development projects including Tuam. The Government has recently announced a review of the NDP to 2030 and I am informed that the Courts Service envisages that Tuam will be delivered within the latter half of this revised and extended timeframe.
The courthouse building in Tuam, which is a protected structure, has been vacant for some time and is in very poor condition. The Courts Service envisages providing a new courthouse on the site of the old courthouse and an adjoining site which it has acquired for this purpose. Assistance has been sought from the OPW to determine if all or part of the existing structure can be included in a new development and to provide modern courts facilities on the site. In the meantime, court sittings in Tuam are taking place in a leased facility at Weir Road, Tuam.
