Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising these issues in a genuine manner. It is obviously a concern to the Deputy and to any community if there is a fear of a loss of services. I am confident, given the initial reply supplied to me by the Department of Justice, that there is a clear intention to restore the existing level of service to Mallow once the refurbishment works have been carried out. I know Mallow quite well, although the Deputy knows it better than I do. Suffice it to say it is a significant population centre and it is a centre which should have the full services of the Courts Service available to the public and citizens of Mallow and surrounding areas that rely on Mallow for that kind of service.

The Deputy is right when he says the administration of justice, first, has to be timely but, second, has to be accessible. Unfortunately, many people who have to access the courts are vulnerable and one of the challenges they experience when having to access any service is travel and availability. Therefore, it is incumbent on the State and the Courts Service to retain the services. It would be proper for the Department of Justice to have the Courts Service confirm to the Deputy in writing that the full level of service which is now available will be returning post the refurbishment period.

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