Written answers
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Department of Justice and Equality
Courts Service
Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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390. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the up-to-date position regarding the building of the new premises (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20736/24]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government's revised National Development Plan, 2021-2030, includes a number of Courts Service projects to be completed during the period of the plan. These projects include:
- Provision of further new or refurbished courthouses in cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard. Locations where investment is needed, include Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee, Roscommon, Naas, Bray, Navan, Swords, Tallaght & Dun Laoghaire.
- Family Law Complex on Hammond Lane to be developed by PPP.
- A new Children's Court in Dublin.
- Modernisation of the Four Courts complex.
- ICT projects to support the Courts Service Modernisation Programme.
The Courts Service purchased a site at Kylekiproe in 2020 on which to build a new Courthouse. The development of a new courthouse at Portlaoise is included as a key Courts Service project in the National Development Plan (NDP).
In Budget 2024, €185 million was allocated to the Courts vote, including capital funding of €67 million. This sum covers PPP payments for 8 courthouses as well as funding for the significant technological upgrades taking place across the courts, including the ongoing wifi upgrade and video court expansion.
Funding for the new courthouse in Portlaoise will fall to be considered in the context of NDP allocations over the remaining years of the programme.
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