Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, I thank the Senators for raising the matter. I appreciate the interest in Waterford Courthouse and in the matter of its relocation pending redevelopment. I am informed that this is an issue which has been raised previously in representations made to the Department of Justice and Equality by the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins. However, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The 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 - and the Minister, Deputy Shatter, has no role in the matter.

However, inquiries have been made and the Courts Service informs me it is aware of the importance of maintaining court sittings in Waterford during the period of construction for the refurbishment and extension of the city's courthouse. At present, Waterford Courthouse hosts sittings of the District Court, the Circuit Court and, on occasion, the High Court, including the Central Criminal Court. I am informed that the planned development will see major enhancement of court facilities in the city, with the number of courtrooms increasing from the current two to a total of six, which will provide ample facilities into the future for all court sittings.

The courthouse development project is one of seven courthouse projects to be delivered by way of public private partnership under the Government's infrastructure stimulus package.

The procurement for these projects is being undertaken by the National Development Finance Agency and the procurement process will begin in the near future. It is expected that construction work will commence by mid-2015 with the project being completed and the courthouse becoming operational during 2016 or early 2017. As the Senator recognises, temporary courtroom and office accommodation will be required for the construction period as the courthouse will have to be vacated.

I am informed that the Courts Service, with the assistance of the Office of Public Works, is currently looking at possible locations for temporary court and office facilities for the duration of the construction period. It is doing so within the limits of the budget available to it. The Courts Service, in common with all other public service organisations, has been operating in a very difficult and challenging economic environment. A major factor which must be considered is the potential cost of providing such temporary facilities.

The Courts Service has indicated that it is not clear at this point the extent of the temporary facilities which will be available during the construction period. I mentioned that there are currently two courtrooms in Waterford Courthouse. While it would be desirable that a temporary facility would also provide two courtrooms, factors such as the resources available and the affordability of a temporary location will have to be taken into account.

The Courts Service is considering whether any existing public facilities in the area could be used for court purposes and I am informed that there have been discussions with the local authorities in this regard. They are also exploring potential commercial facilities that could be used. However, it will not be possible to indicate what arrangements will be in place for any court sittings until the accommodation has been sourced.

There is a possibility that the fitting out of temporary courtrooms could potentially represent a significant cost element. If any existing facilities were available to be used which would not require significant work and were available at little or no cost then, of course, this would clearly be welcome. If the Senators have particular premises in mind I would ask that they bring these to the attention of the Courts Service.

I want to thank the Senators for raising the matter and I appreciate their interest in the administration of justice in Waterford. I am sure the Senators will appreciate that, at this stage, it is not possible to say what arrangements will be in place for any particular court sittings until all options have been fully examined.