Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of allocations from the funds available to his Department towards the refurbishment of the courthouse, a listed building in Ballinamore, County Leitrim, over the past ten years; the expenditure to date from such allocations; the amount left unspent; the reason such moneys were left unspent and by whom such a decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40757/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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 service is independent in the performance of its functions, including the maintenance and provision of courthouse facilities. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that between 2008 and 2010 a total of €232,616.09 was spent on architectural, engineering and quantity surveying services appointed by the Office of Public Works relating to preparatory work carried out between 2008 and 2009 for the proposed refurbishment of Ballinamore courthouse. However, given that work resulted in an estimated refurbishment cost of €2.5 million and in the context of reduced capital funding allocations, I am informed that the Courts Service decided in November 2009 not to proceed with the project. I am informed that no further funding was allocated and no moneys remain unspent and this remains the position in light of the current economic circumstances. It is regrettable that this expenditure did not lead on to a refurbishment but the Deputy will appreciate that quite extensive preliminary work is essential in preparing for capital projects. The Courts Service Board subsequently decided in 2010 to amalgamate the District Court Area of Ballinamore with Carrick-on-Shannon and therefore the court no longer sits in Ballinamore. I should add that a new courthouse was provided in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1998 at a cost of €1.98 million.