Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are further closures of rural court houses expected in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39750/13]

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 which is independent in exercising its functions which include 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 is continually reviewing all aspects of its organisational and operational structures throughout the country, a specific objective of which is to ensure that the Service, in the current environment, can continue to maintain the delivery of frontline court services and the maintenance of an appropriate level of service to court users. It is in this context that the Service keeps the number of court venues it maintains under continuous review with no court venue being singled out or exempt from the review process. During the course of 2012 the Service completed a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country. The purpose of this review was to establish a framework within which venues could be considered for closure taking account of 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 Deputy may be aware that in July 2013, the Board announced the closure of eight venues which are due to close on or before 1 January 2014 - Ballyhaunis, Baltinglass, Birr, Clones, Edenderry, Kells, Kinsale, Swinford. The Courts Service has informed me that further venues have been identified for consideration for closure, detailed assessments have been completed in respect of four venues and they are currently under consideration. The Courts Service has again assured me that no decision in relation to the future of any 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.