Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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109. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the likely date for the reopening of Mullingar courthouse following its significant refurbishment and renewal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2844/17]

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 to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that Mullingar Courthouse is being extended and refurbished as part of a major courthouse investment project that will also see new or refurbished courthouses delivered at Drogheda, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Waterford and Letterkenny during 2017. The entire project is being delivered by way of Public Private Partnership and will provide significantly enhanced court accommodation and facilities for all court users at these locations.

Construction and refurbishment work in relation to Mullingar Courthouse is due to finish by the end of November 2017 and the Courts Service has advised that it intends that court sittings would resume at the refurbished courthouse shortly thereafter.