Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects the new courthouse in Drogheda, County Louth to be fully operational; if he and the Courts Service envisage that the new development will facilitate sittings of the Circuit Court; the overall cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43596/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In July 2012 the Government announced an infrastructure stimulus package which includes seven courthouse projects in Drogheda, Wexford, Mullingar, Waterford, Limerick, Cork and Letterkenny.

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that they are currently working with the National Development Finance Agency and Office of Public Works with a view to bringing these projects to the market shortly. The projects are to be procured and delivered through a Public Private Partnership.

In relation to the proposed Drogheda Courthouse project, the Service has stated that the design provides a level of flexibility by including two courtrooms, one of which is a jury courtroom, which would make the courthouse suitable for use by all court jurisdictions. It is envisaged that the new courthouse will be open in 2016. The Service has confirmed that there will be no up-front capital expenditure on the project. As it is a Public Private Partnership project, it will be paid for by means of regular unitary charges over a period of time.