Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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183. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the position regarding Westport Courthouse; if it will not reopen as a courthouse; if so, the future plans for the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50745/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, 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 Westport Courthouse was temporarily closed in 2013 as the building fell short of the required standards on health and safety grounds. In the period since, court business is being dealt with in Castlebar Courthouse, a 20 minute drive away.

The Court Service has also informed me that a report commissioned from the Office of Public Works identified a number of issues with the ceilings, roof and chimneys of Westport Courthouse and that at the moment, funds are not available to progress repairs. However, nationally, a capital programme for courthouses is underway, it involves new court buildings and renovations to courthouses. The capital budget provided to the Courts Service is around €5 million in both 2017 and 2018.

The Courts Service has further advised that Mayo County Council recently approached them with a proposal to take over ownership of the building for alternative community use and that this proposal is under active consideration.