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 it is aware of the poor condition of the railings at Carlow courthouse. Restoration work on the railings was to have been undertaken as part of the refurbishment of Carlow courthouse completed in 2002 but the Courts Service has advised that this did not proceed because of local opposition to the proposed realignment of the railings.

The Courts Service has also advised me that it is committed to having the railings restored as soon as possible and I understand that there has been regular and ongoing engagement between the Courts Service and the OPW in the past two years to advance this work. Background work has been carried out, including technical appraisals and experimental repairs, and the Courts Service anticipates that restoration work will begin later this year.