Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will establish with the Courts Service the detailed criteria against which the service will give consideration to the future rationalisation of certain local Court Service office facilities across the country; if he and the Courts Service will make this information available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40826/11]

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 which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that its main priority is to ensure that it can continue to support the judiciary and maintain court sittings while at the same time providing the best possible services to court users. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the Courts Service, in common with all other public sector organisations, is obliged to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect to ensure continuity of service with reduced budgets and resources. Greater flexibility in the deployment of available resources will be critical in maintaining the delivery of front line court services.

The Deputy's question relates to court office facilities which it should be noted is a different issue from courthouses. The Courts Service has informed me that a comprehensive internal review was conducted in 2009/2010 which included the administrative structure of provincial court offices and recommended the amalgamation of Circuit and District Court offices into a combined court office to provide a multi-jurisdictional administration unit in each county. A major transformation programme is currently underway on foot of that review and I understand Phase 1 commenced in three locations in May 2011.

Implementation of this project is critical to the continued maintenance of front line court services and court sittings in the current difficult economic and staffing environment. I understand the project is included in the Service's Action Plan under the Croke Park Agreement and is vital to meeting obligations to delivery efficiencies and staffing reductions in accordance with the Agreement and the Employment Control Framework.