Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount provided under the capital plan for the new forensic science laboratory in County Kildare; the amount spent to date; the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18820/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The need for a new purpose built forensic science laboratory appropriate to the State's requirements is long-standing. The Government's capital plan 2016-2021 has allocated €45m for the construction of the laboratory with work due to commence in 2019.

However, I have previously indicated that I would avail of every opportunity to bring forward the start date, if that was possible. I was happy, therefore, that €6 million was provided in my Department's Vote to enable the commencement of building work in 2017. This funding has been earmarked for a variety of enabling works, including electricity and gas connections, the installation of fibre line to the site and works to the main entrance.

I hope that it will be possible in the context of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan to secure the funding that will allow the construction of the building to commence and that being the case, I would expect the new laboratory to be ready in 2020. The cost of construction and fit-out will only be known once the tendering process is complete.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount provided under the capital plan for the construction and redevelopment of seven courthouse venues; the amount spent to date; the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18821/17]

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 the construction/redevelopment of courthouses at seven locations throughout the country by way of ongoing Public Private Partnership (PPP) was included as one of the key Justice sector projects in the Government's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016 to 2021.

The relevant locations in this context and the expected dates on which each of the courthouses will be completed are as follows:

The Courts Service has also informed me that the construction firm BAM is responsible for construction of the courthouses and will also provide maintenance and various facilities management services for a 25 year period post completion. The projected total cost over 25 years is €382.8m which will be funded through a 25 year stream of unitary charges commencing later this year. A number of other project related costs not covered by the unitary charge mechanism have been met from within the annual Courts Service budgetary provision since project commencement.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount provided under the capital plan for the development of a new purpose built family law and children's courts complex; the amount spent to date; the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18822/17]

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 the development of a new purpose built Family Law and Children's Court complex was included as one of the key Justice sector projects in the Government's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016 to 2021. It is anticipated that the project will be delivered by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and, as such, will be funded through a future stream of unitary charges over a 25 year period which would commence on completion of the building.

The Courts Service has also informed me that a business case, as required under the provisions of the Public Spending Code, is at an advanced stage of preparation. Once completed, the Courts Service will engage with the Department of Justice and Equality and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for sanction to proceed with the project. Subject to approval being received, the Courts Service anticipates that the building would be completed in 2021/2022. Costs of approximately €50,000 have been incurred to date in connection with the preparation of the business case.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount provided under the capital plan for the refurbishment programme for the Courts Service; the amount spent to date; the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18823/17]

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 the Courts Service building programme has been progressed primarily by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in recent years. At present new/refurbished courthouses are under construction at Cork, Drogheda, Letterkenny, Limerick, Mullingar, Wexford and Waterford. All are being delivered by way of PPP and will be delivered by the end of the year. The delivery of these courthouses will be funded through a future 25 year stream of unitary charges commencing later this year.

The expected dates on which each of those courthouses will be completed are as follows:

On completion of these projects, the next 5 city/county town venues requiring substantial investment in courthouse facilities are Wicklow, Portlaoise, Galway, Roscommon and Tralee. Collectively these locations are the next priority for provincial courthouse development/refurbishment projects.

The Courts Service has also informed me that, in addition to the major development/refurbishment projects progressed through PPP, a portion of the Courts Service annual budget is allocated each year to cover the cost of capital works and related expenditure at courthouses throughout the country, including minor refurbishment/remedial works. In 2016 and 2017 a sum of between €1m and €2m has been available for such minor refurbishments/remedial works.