Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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505. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide funding to renovate the inside of a building (details supplied) in County Kerry, including to make it wheelchair accessible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1417/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be 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, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is very aware of the accessibility issues and the limited facilities at Tralee Courthouse. The Courts Service has stated that it is not be possible to provide appropriate facilities including full accessibility within the site of the current courthouse due to the nature of the building and the restrictions of the site. The Court Service proposes to build a new courthouse in Tralee, however they have advised that this will be dependent on securing an alternative site and the availability of funding. This will enable the Courts Service to provide improved facilities for all users and also allow the issue of accessibility to be addressed comprehensively.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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506. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the condition of Tralee courthouse (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1419/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be 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, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is very aware of the accessibility issues and the limited facilities at Tralee Courthouse. The Courts Service has stated that it is not be possible to provide appropriate facilities including full accessibility within the site of the current courthouse due to the nature of the building and the restrictions of the site. The Court Service proposes to build a new courthouse in Tralee, however they have advised that this will be dependant on securing an alternative site and the availability of funding. This will enable the Courts Service to provide improved facilities for all users and also allow the issue of accessibility to be addressed comprehensively.