John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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610. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the process of transferring the old Bray Courthouse, Boghall Road, Bray to Wicklow County Council; the expected time-frame; and the engagement that has taken place with the local authority on the issue. [40326/20]

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 regarding the former courthouse at Boghall Road, Bray made and the Courts Service has provided the following update on this matter.

The former Courthouse has been vacant since 2006 when court sittings and services were relocated to alternative accommodation in the town centre. While the National Development Plan provides for the construction of county town type court facilities at various locations including Bray, the Boghall Road site is considered unsuitable in terms of both size and location.

In the recent past the Courts Service did examine the possibility of using the Boghall Road building to augment existing court facilities in Bray, however, this was not considered feasible. The Courts Service has no plans for this building at present and it is considered to be surplus to requirements. In these circumstances, the Courts Service, in the first instance, offers the property to the local authority or the OPW for alternative public use.

I am advised that the Courts Service would be willing to explore transferring ownership of the building to Wicklow County Council so that it can be made available for alternative public/community use. However, there has been no engagement between the Courts Service and Wicklow County Council to date.