Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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8. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a courthouse service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24328/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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 in early 2012 a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country was completed. The specific output from this review was the identification of a range of venues nationwide which could be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case in respect of each identified venue.

In this regard, the identification of venues as part of the review process does not necessarily mean that the identified venues will close. The assessments undertaken were informed by a consultation process with local public representatives, solicitor firms and a range of other interested parties and the final decision in relation to the closure of any venue is a matter for the Board of the Courts Service. Following this review Killorglin courthouse was identified as a venue which could be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case.

The Courts Service, during the course of 2013, commenced the process of undertaking a detailed assessment of all identified venues in Kerry. Consultations were completed with local interested parties but the detailed assessment was never formally completed or advanced to conclusion. The Courts Service are of the view that having regard to the lapse of time since the aforementioned assessment was commenced, it would be appropriate to consult further with all interested parties and therefore it is proposed that such a process will commence within the next two months.