Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 985: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the proposed refurbishment of Mullingar Circuit Court, County Westmeath, will take place; his views on when it is likely to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18462/12]

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 enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that preliminary work was carried out in relation to work on the Mullingar Courthouse project. However, due to the reduced funding available, it has not been possible to proceed to tender for the Mullingar project or indeed for any other major courthouse construction project in the last three years. The Courts Service has indicated to me that, at this time, it is not possible to say when the Mullingar project will proceed as it is dependent on both the availability of funding and other project priorities.