Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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592. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements the Court Service will put in place by to facilitate car parking during construction of the new courthouse in Drogheda in County Louth, which will have the effect of closing two car parks in the centre of Drogheda town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38157/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, 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 work on the construction of a new courthouse in Drogheda is expected to commence within the next few weeks. This courthouse is one of seven new/refurbished courthouses being delivered by means of Public Private Partnership (PPP) as part of the Government's Infrastructure Stimulus package.

The courthouse is being constructed on a site at Linenhall Street West close to the Garda Station. The site has been the designated site for a new courthouse in Drogheda for several years. While some parking has been allowed on the site in recent years, this has always been with the understanding that it was on a temporary basis pending the commencement of construction. While limited parking will be provided post construction, the newly constructed courthouse will occupy the bulk of the site. Last May, the Courts Service informed Louth County Council that the temporary parking arrangements were being terminated to facilitate the courthouse construction. The Courts Service is meeting with local traders on 5 November next to update them on the project.