James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important question in regard to the Wicklow courthouse. The National Development Plan 2021-2030, which was approved and published by the Government in October 2021, commits to the provision of further new or refurbished courthouses in cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard, including in Wicklow town. While the management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998, I sought an update on this matter and the Courts Service has provided me with the following.

The historic courthouse in Wicklow town has been closed for a number of years for health and safety reasons due to the poor state of repair of the annex and interior. Court sittings and the court office have transferred to Bray. The Courts Service has acquired additional space adjacent to the courthouse which could facilitate the refurbishment and extension of the building to provide a county town standard courthouse. The timing of the delivery will depend on the availability of funding over the remainder of the period of the national development plan.

I understand that Wicklow County Council has asked if the courthouse could be used for some other purpose while awaiting refurbishment. The Courts Service advises me that this is, unfortunately, not feasible as it would take considerable investment to make the building safe to use for any purpose. The Courts Service has, however, agreed to allow the council to use the adjacent vacated library building, which the Courts Service owns, for community use until such time as the refurbishment project commences. In addition, the Courts Service informs me that a meeting was held with the council on 26 January at which it was agreed that the Courts Service would request the OPW to assess the building and outline the costs involved in preserving its external and aesthetic appearance. Further to this, the Courts Service has requested the OPW to carry out improvement works, such as painting the railings and doors, and other general maintenance, such as weeding. The timing of this is dependent on the OPW’s capacity in the locality. The Courts Service informs me that it is endeavouring to have these works carried out as soon as possible.

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