Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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608. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress on the refurbishment of the existing courthouse in Tuam, County Galway, which is on the Courts Service's programme; when the building will be brought back into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23898/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 provided the following update on this matter.

The National Development Plan provides for new or refurbished courthouses at a number of cities and county towns as well as at a number of provincial locations including Tuam in County Galway. 

The existing courthouse building in Tuam is in very poor condition and has not been used to host courts for many years. The Courts Service plans to provide new courthouse facilities on the site of the old courthouse and an adjoining site which it has acquired for this purpose. The existing courthouse is a protected structure. Assistance has been sought from the OPW to determine if all or part of the existing structure can be included in a new development and to provide modern courts facilities on the site.  In the meantime, court sittings in Tuam are taking place in a leased facility at Weir Road, Tuam.