Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision regarding the temporary relocation of Mullingar courthouse will be published; if he will consider Columb Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12478/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 415 of 11 February 2014. The position is unchanged since then.

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.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that they are at an advanced stage in planning the refurbishment and extension of the courthouse in Mullingar as part of the Government's infrastructure stimulus package. It is intended that this will be delivered by way of Public Private Partnership along with six other courthouse projects. The procurement process is scheduled to commence in 2014. The construction period is expected to take between 18 and 24 months and the courthouse should become operational during 2017. I am informed that temporary courtroom and office accommodation will be required for the construction period as the courthouse will have to be vacated. The Courts Service is currently looking at options for temporary accommodation and one of the possible locations being considered is Columb Barracks in Mullingar. However, the Courts Service has indicated that, at this stage, it is not possible to say what arrangements will be in place for district court sittings until all options have been fully examined.