Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and appreciate her interest in the matter of court services in rural counties, particularly in County Mayo. As she may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions which, of course, include the provision, maintenance and management of court buildings.

The Deputy will be aware that the Courts Service has been reviewing all aspects of its organisational and operational structures throughout the country with the specific objective of ensuring front-line court services can be maintained. I am informed that all venues were included in this aspect of the review. In the context of the review, a number of venues were identified to be considered for closure, subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case.

The service established a general framework within which such venues were assessed taking into account a range of criteria such as caseload, proximity to an alternative venue, physical condition of the building, availability of cells, etc. The likely impact on other justice agencies, such as an Garda Síochána and the Prison Service, is also taken into account. Consultation processes are carried out in each case and among those consulted are the Judiciary, the local Bar Association, an Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, the Probation Service and the relevant town council.

In line with the process, the building committee of the Courts Service board considered outcomes and recommended a number of closures to the board. As part of the consultation process, all those who had been consulted previously were informed of the recommendation of the building committee and were invited to make further submissions which would be placed before the full board for consideration. I am informed these submissions, together with all previous submissions, have been taken into account in the decision-making process.

As the Deputy is aware, the board recently approved the closure of a number of courthouse venues. At its meeting on 1 July 2013, the board approved the closure of venues at Birr, Edenderry, Clones, Swinford, Ballyhaunis, Kinsale, Baltinglass and Kells. I am informed a decision regarding the future of Skibbereen was deferred until the autumn.

The business normally transacted at those venues will be transferred to alternative venues in adjoining District Court areas. It is anticipated all of the venues will formally close on or before 1 January 2014. As already stated, the board is independent under statute in regard to these matters and it is not open to me as Minister to influence the outcome of the deliberations of the independent board.

It was a decision made by the board that the Swinford court work be transferred to Castlebar. The Courts Service fully examined the alternatives available to it and this decision was made having examined those alternatives.

The Courts Service, like all other areas in my Department, has been affected by the cutback in funding available. Each service provider, including the Courts Service, is under an obligation to see what action it can take to ensure expenditures are reduced and appropriate savings are made. The Courts Service had a reduction of €800,000 in its 2013 allocation. I am anticipating that there will be a further reduction in the funding available for 2014.

In that context, it is important for the Courts Service to review existing court centres, the manner in which justice is administered and how savings can be effected while providing the most modern court facilities for the benefit of the public within the limited funding available. I am sorry I cannot be of greater assistance to the Deputy in this matter. Ultimately, these are decisions to be made by the Courts Service.

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