Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, four options for Tralee courthouse are being considered. Obviously, the Deputy has a very clear preference for that. The options are: building a new courthouse on the portion of the Ballymullen barracks site; refurbishment of the existing courthouse; possible acquisition of a site owned by An Post that is to the rear of the courthouse; and building a new courthouse on the Island of Geese site. I understand the last one is now in council ownership. This is under consideration and I hope a decision will be made soon. The Deputy is not the only one to have made views known as to which would be best for various reasons, including the court itself, community impact etc. All that will need to be assessed and taken on board when a decision is made.

On the sittings of the court, we have asked the Courts Service to ensure inasmuch as possible and particularly for emergency cases that trial hearings can continue in a safe way and that the health of those who are working there and others attending are protected as much as possible. It has meant a reduced number of sittings and that certain places are not being used in the way that they would have been. These measures are based on Covid restrictions and are continually reviewed. As we come out of the pandemic in the coming year, I hope, there will be a resumption of much of what was happening prior to the pandemic. It is also important for us to review how things have worked to date. Obviously, the capital plan is much longer than the Garda one which we are considering renewing and changing next year going into 2022. I believe another ten years are left in the courthouse capital project. A review needs to happen, taking into account the Covid pandemic, how things have been operating, the restructuring of the family court system and many other factors, with a new or revised version of the current capital plan put in place.