Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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398. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to ensure that court facilities are appropriately structured to hear family law cases separate to other cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29938/20]

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 informed me that all county towns have dedicated Family Law sittings with the exception of Roscommon, where the courthouse is currently unavailable. Some courthouses in county towns can accommodate both family law and other types of business at the same time. However, it is preferred that family law business takes place on days when other business is not scheduled.

The position regarding the range of outlying venues varies from some having dedicated Family Law days, to Family Law & Civil matters, to Family Law & Juvenile matters to all court business. Some outlying venues only sit once per month so all business must be transacted at that one sitting.

While some courthouses have more than one courtroom to facilitate a Family Law sitting and a Criminal sitting at the one time in separate courtrooms, there is only one permanent District Court Judge assigned to most District Court Areas.

Domestic Violence applications are heard at any District Court sitting, as required. In addition, urgent Crime matters are also heard at any District Court sitting, as required.

With Covid-19, the Courts Service’s ability to use all the courtrooms at the same time also depends on the expected footfall compared with the capacity of individual courtrooms, the foyer area of the courthouse, as well as ancillary facilities.

The following table outlines the situation in courthouses nationwide.

I have also recently published the General Scheme of a Family Court Bill, which provides for the establishment of a District Family Court, a Circuit Family Court and a Family High Court as divisions within the existing court structures. The enactment of this Bill is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The General Scheme of the Family Court Bill aims to streamline family court processes to make them more efficient and user-friendly, while encouraging greater use of alternative dispute resolution. The proposals in the General Scheme of the Family Court Bill are a result of a broad consideration as to the best means of providing access to various family law mechanisms available to those families involved in private family law cases.