James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With regard to Roscommon courthouse, the Courts Service has commenced the process of identifying and acquiring suitable sites for the projects to be completed over the period of the national development plan. Additional space on the historic Roscommon courthouse site has already been acquired from the local authority to facilitate the future expansion and refurbishment of the courthouse. The priority project for the period up to 2025 is the proposed new family law complex on Hammond Lane. The timing of the delivery of remaining projects will depend on the availability of funding over the timeframe of the national development plan. Due to the poor condition of the historic courthouse in Roscommon, the Courts Service has had no option but to source alternative accommodation until such time as the refurbishment project is completed. The Courts Service recognises the local importance of having courts sitting in the town. With this in mind, temporary premises have been sourced at Racecourse Road and fit-out will be completed in early December 2022. The temporary premises will be capable of hosting multiple-defendant jury trials, which at present cannot be accommodated in the historic courthouse. I do not have a timeline for the refurbishment of the existing courthouse but it is in the national development plan. An alternative in Roscommon town has been sourced and resolved and will be operational next month.