Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as an deis an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important matter. The courthouse in Castleblayney is a mid-19th century Italianate building which occupies an important island site in the town centre. Its unique design means it can be viewed from all sides. However, following neglect and abandonment over the years the building is now in a state of disrepair. There is a serious outbreak of dry rot on the east side of the building. This building offers significant potential for development and Castleblayney's courthouse site needs to be developed as a civic facility. Like most towns in County Monaghan, Castleblayney suffered from being in a Border county. The Troubles lasted for more than 40 years and were a scourge on the county. Businesses were either afraid, unable or unwilling to invest further in Castleblayney and its surrounding areas while investment opportunities were being availed of in non-Border counties. In neighbouring County Louth a new courthouse and civic facility was opened in Ardee in June 2008. This is a fine model of what could be done with Castleblayney courthouse. We have the site in the centre of the town and we have significant potential for development but as it stands in its current state, it portrays a very negative image of our town.

The Courts Service no longer has a proper long-term home and is currently seeking temporary premises. The Judiciary is unhappy with the current arrangements and it would be a dreadful outcome if the Courts Service were to cease sitting in the town.

The Courts Service and the library are both using rented accommodation. The town council and county council both require new office accommodation. They could all be housed in this building and there is potential for the inclusion of a tourist office. The cost of this investment is reportedly in the region of €5 million but in the current climate I would expect that if this project were to be put out to tender, there would be a reduction in the figure as today's capital contracts are tendering at up to 30% below last year's figure. I am convinced we have a golden opportunity now for capital investment in the town and we should seize it while also obtaining good value for money.

It is my firm belief this building can be made the centrepiece of the town and could be turned into an expression of confidence in a Border county. It would also be a great way of drawing people into the centre of our town thus helping businesses, restaurants and shops especially if this tough economic climate continues in the medium to long term.

The work needed on this building would create construction and other related work. It could create in excess of 50 jobs for the next two years and as a preserved building it would require specialist work.

The courthouse building, if left as it is, will continue to be a health and safety problem and an eyesore. This iconic building has great potential. I have been in regular contact with the Courts Service and the local authority on this issue and I would like to see some progress this year. There is a great need for the work to begin immediately in order to seal the building and the restoration and development would prevent further decay and deterioration. This is an important historic building in Castleblayney and investment in its renovation would not only generate much-needed employment and income but would also give the Border town a much-needed confidence boost. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Monaghan County Council submitted an application to the Department in June 2006 for sanction to take out a loan to fund essential repairs to Castleblayney courthouse. At the time the county council wished to secure the building's external fabric and prevent further deterioration. However, the county council subsequently decided to re-examine it proposals for the courthouse and engaged consultants to prepare a feasibility study on the cost of refurbishing it as a civic centre to provide accommodation for the existing courthouse, offices for Castleblayney Town Council and possibly a branch library for the town.

Having regard to the requirements of the Courts Service, the consultants noted that the floor area available in the building would be entirely taken up by the needs of the court and that it would not be possible to accommodate the town council in the same building. As a result of this finding, I understand that the county manager wrote directly to the Courts Service seeking to have Castleblayney courthouse included in the national courthouse renovation programme. The Courts Service responded to the effect that the cost of restoring the courthouse solely for court use would be prohibitive. In its current capital building programme, the Courts Service is prioritising the refurbishment of county town venues and in this regard, Monaghan courthouse is currently under refurbishment. In the view of the Courts Service, it would be substantially cheaper to provide the necessary court accommodation in Castleblayney on a greenfield site which would cost approximately half the cost of renovation of the existing courthouse. The Courts Service has indicated that on this basis and when funds become available, provision of the necessary court facilities on a greenfield site is most likely to be the option pursued in this regard.

Should Monaghan County Council wish to pursue further its application to take out a loan to fund the reconstruction of the courthouse, the Department will consider the application in due course, having regard to Monaghan County Council's own financial position and the national position with respect to the general Government balance. In this context, all loan applications received from local authorities must be considered according to their priority. It is of paramount importance that Ireland adheres to the rules set out in the EU Stability and Growth Pact and in this regard there are limitations on the overall scale of local government borrowing in any single year. Within those terms I must prioritise the most crucial projects and investments across the local government sector. Any renewed application by Monaghan County Council in respect of Castleblayney courthouse will be considered by the Department within these parameters.