John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I appreciate his interest in Portlaoise courthouse and the issues relating to its existing location on the Main Street in Portlaoise.

As the Senator will appreciate, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and the Minister has 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. However, the Minister has had inquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that Portlaoise courthouse is a neoclassical building constructed around 1805 on a corner site. The courthouse is owned by Laois County Council and was last refurbished by the Courts Service in 2001 at a cost of €2.75 million.

More recently, in 2010, some minor works were also carried out. In relation to proposed works, the service has stated that some work is also planned for the provision of cell facilities within the courthouse. The service has stated that it is aware that the facilities in Portlaoise courthouse fall short of what is required to meet the demands placed on the courthouse but that there is limited scope for development within the existing courthouse building and site. In 2007, the service in co-operation with the OPW, began a search for an appropriate alternative site in the town for a new courthouse development. A number of potential sites were considered during 2007 and 2008. However, no site was acquired at that time.

Since 2008, the service, in common with all other public service organisations, has been operating in a very difficult and challenging economic environment. While continuing its search for a new site for a courthouse, the service has indicated that it currently has limited funding available for site acquisition and development. In the absence of a suitable site, the service has informed the Minister that it is not possible to bring forward specific proposals for the replacement of Portlaoise courthouse at this time and that a new courthouse cannot be delivered in the short to medium term.