Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, I thank Senator Leyden for raising the matter. The Minister regrets she is unable to be present for this discussion.

As the Senator may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. Furthermore, section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in its functions, including in regard to the provision, maintenance and management of court buildings. The Minister has had inquiries made and has been informed by the Courts Service that it is aware of the current shortcomings of the court facilities in Roscommon courthouse. The Courts Service has confirmed that the capacity of the courtrooms is limited and the facilities for court users are not satisfactory. The Minister was also informed that due to the unsatisfactory office accommodation in the building, the Courts Service office in Roscommon has been moved to another building in the town. However, the Courts Service has assured the Minister that it is committed to providing improved court facilities in Roscommon town, which is one of a small number of county towns where a new or refurbished courthouse remains to be provided.

The Minister has been informed that, with the departure of Roscommon County Council from the building, the Courts Service has considered the potential for the development of the courthouse. It is understood that the initial assessment is that the courthouse could be suitably redeveloped within the historic structure if the Courts Service had all of that building available to it, along with some additional space adjoining it. As the Senator will appreciate, the cost of acquiring the additional space would be a major factor in deciding whether to redevelop the historic courthouse or to provide a new building on a new site.

The Courts Service has stated that the acquisition of additional space in the courthouse for its redevelopment has been the subject of discussions between the service and Roscommon County Council over a number of years. Offers have been made by the Courts Service to the county council in the past to acquire additional space, but no agreement was reached. The Minister has been informed that the new county council offices, which are adjacent to the courthouse, have been designed in a way to allow for the necessary space for the future development of the historic courthouse. While the Courts Service currently does not have funding to undertake work in Roscommon, it has assured the Minister that the development of courthouse facilities in Roscommon town is part of its plans for the future. The Courts Service will keep the issue of Roscommon courthouse under review.

As the Senator will appreciate, since the establishment of the Courts Service a substantial programme of investment in court facilities, amounting to €250 million, was undertaken with over 50 venues being newly built or refurbished. Many others were substantially upgraded. This level of investment has enabled the service to greatly improve the standard of accommodation, including facilities for people with disabilities, jury facilities, custody cells, consultation rooms etc.. There was also an ongoing programme of investment in technology at court venues. Work carried out includes the development of the Criminal Courts of Justice, completed as a PPP project, the construction of 13 new courthouses, refurbishment of 41 court venues and upgrade of many smaller venues.

In July 2012, the Government announced an investment package, which includes seven courthouse projects, with new courthouse buildings being developed in Drogheda, Letterkenny, Limerick and Waterford and substantial refurbishment and extension works to existing courthouses to be carried out in Cork, Mullingar and Waterford. The Courts Service is working with the Department of Justice and Equality, the Office of Public works and the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, to progress these projects. Substantial preparatory work has already been carried out. It is expected that contracts will be signed in October this year, with delivery expected in 18 to 24 months, depending on the project.