Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the need to retain the court house and court facilities at Kilcock, County Kildare thereby continuing to provide for current and future needs and based on the experience of the past wherein the existence of the facilities at this location proved to be a vital and necessary link in the Eastern Circuit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11909/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that 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, which includes the provision of accommodation for court sittings. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and have been informed that the Courts Service has been reviewing all aspects of its organisational and operational structures throughout the country with the specific objective of ensuring that the Service can continue to maintain the delivery of front line court services and an appropriate level of service to court users. I understand that no court venue has been singled out for or indeed exempted from the review and that Kilcock Courthouse is included in this process.

In this context the Courts Service has established a general framework within which venues are being considered for closure taking into account a range of criteria such as caseload, proximity to an alternative venue, physical condition of the building, availability of cells etc. The likely impact on other Justice agencies, such as An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service, is also taken into account. The review identified a range of venues nationwide which, based on the criteria applied, could be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case in respect of each identified venue which has now commenced.

However, the Courts Service has assured me that no decision in relation to the future of Kilcock courthouse will be taken without prior consultation with local interested parties and court users. Such consultation has already begun and the views received will be taken into account in the decision making process which will be a matter for the Courts Service Board.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is standard practice to inform the victims of a crime attending a criminal trial in the new Criminal Courts of Justice about the facilities that allow the victim in a criminal case to have separate entrances and or waiting rooms for the accused in a criminal trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11913/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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 provision of courthouse facilities.

As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply of 5 February 2013, the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) has separate waiting rooms for victims and their families in cases before the courts. Victims can wait in these dedicated areas away from other parties to cases including the accused or members of the public until their case is called. Where an accused person is in custody then they are brought to the court through a separate custody area under escort by the Irish Prison Service. Victims enter the CCJ through the main public entrance of the building along with all others attending the courts for criminal trials including accused persons on bail. I should add that where a child witness is providing evidence to the court via video link, these witnesses are brought to the dedicated suite through a separate, non public, entrance to the CCJ.

The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime is an independent body which operates under the aegis of my Department providing funding for services and supports to victims of crime, including court accompaniment and other supports at court. €1.162m has been provided for the Commission in 2013, the same level as 2012.

The Courts Service works with the Commission and Victim Support to facilitate victims attending criminal trials. Victim Support Services are aware of the facilities available in the CCJ and are in contact, via the Garda Liaison Officer, with victims and families of victims prior to and during the trials. They can accompany victims to the CCJ and in many cases will bring the victim to the CCJ prior to the trial to allow him or her familiarise themselves with the court layout and facilities available.