Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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282. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans there are to provide a new courthouse for Galway city; the timeframe, and cost, for any such proposals; the plans for the future uses of the current courthouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30548/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the provision of improved court facilities at Galway is one of the Courts Service projects included in the National Development Plan.

The Courts Service is seeking a suitable site in Galway on which to develop a new courthouse facility. It has engaged with the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Galway City Council (GCC) in relation to the potential for the inclusion of a Courthouse in a future development on the Dyke Road. The Courts Service has met with the LDA and its design team in relation to this proposal and is currently engaging in an exercise to test and evaluate a number of high-level design scenarios on the suitability of the Dyke Road venue for its future needs.

No definitive decision, as yet, has been made regarding the future reuse of the existing courthouse although a number of possible options will be open for consideration.

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 Wi-Fi upgrade and video court expansion.

The Government has invested substantial additional resources into the Courts Service in recent years and I can assure you that the Government will continue to support the Courts Service in its work to create an environment where justice can be administered efficiently and accessibly for all citizens.