Written answers

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Courts Service

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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513. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding courthouses (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will indicate which courthouses will remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/14]

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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519. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will take into consideration the submission (details supplied) from the Kerry Law Society, on behalf of its members, their clients and the affected communities of south and west Kerry who strongly object to the proposed closure of the courthouses at Kenmare, Cahersiveen, Killorglin and Dingle, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2790/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 519 together.

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.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputies, 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 was singled out for or indeed exempted from the review process. There are significant costs in operating and maintaining an extensive estate of properties around the country, both in terms of the staff who must attend these locations, and the cost of maintaining the buildings themselves and providing appropriate facilities in them. In allocating resources the Courts Service has indicated that it must prioritise venues that are regularly used and that have the highest workload.

During the course of 2012, the Courts Service completed a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country. The purpose of the 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 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. The Courts Service has indicated that the identification of venues as part of the review process will not necessarily mean that the identified venues will close.

I am informed that following the aforementioned review courthouses located at Killorglin, Caherciveen, Kenmare and Dingle were identified as venues which should be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case. The Courts Service has indicated that it undertook substantive consultation processes with local interests, including the Kerry Law Society, and that submissions and views received will be fully considered as part of the ongoing decision making process. I am informed that if closure of a venue is to be recommended to the Board following the ongoing detailed assessment then all those previously consulted will be afforded another opportunity to make further submissions to the Board. However, the final decision in relation to the closure of any venue is a matter for the Board of the Courts Service and I have no role in that regard.

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