Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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360. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the alternative temporary location for Roscommon District Court; when it is envisaged that the relocation will take place; when works will commence on the refurbishment of the courthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8828/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, 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.

The Government’s National Development Plan 2018-2027 has a number of key Courts Service accommodation projects including the new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard. Roscommon is one of five County towns where the Courts Service intends to refurbish or replace the County Courthouse. The precise allocation and timing of additional funding over the entire ten year period of the National Development Plan  remains to be fully determined. In late 2017, Courts Service acquired full ownership of the historic courthouse building from Roscommon County Council.

In recent months, some issues have arisen with the historic building which make it necessary to move court sittings to an alternative venue pending refurbishment works. The intention is to keep court sittings in Roscommon Town and the Courts Service is in negotiations regarding the lease and fit out of a temporary venue in the town.

The Deputy will appreciate that as such negotiations are commercially sensitive, it would not be appropriate to set out time lines at this juncture.