John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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596. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a timeframe for the complete refurbishment of the now closed District courthouse in Wicklow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36024/25]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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597. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide details of the costings-options for full restoration of Wicklow Courthouse that the OPW provided the Courts Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36025/25]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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598. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of all costs, including nature of cost for the closed Wicklow Courthouse for each year between 2010 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36026/25]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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599. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to handing the Wicklow Courthouse over for community usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36027/25]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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600. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline any capacity issues in Wicklow in relation to the Courts Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36028/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 596, 597, 598, 599 and 600 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts and operational matters, including matters pertaining to court buildings, are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercising of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.

However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made enquires with the Courts Service and the following sets out the position in relation to the Deputy’s questions.

Wicklow courthouse has been closed due to health and safety concerns since September 2010. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has provided the Courts Service with costings and options for the full restoration of Wicklow Courthouse, ranging from circa €13m to €17m.

I am informed that the Courts Service has included Wicklow Courthouse in its submission for the forthcoming review of the National Development Plan (NDP). This means that further progress in relation to Wicklow Courthouse and timeline for its complete refurbishment will depend on funding allocated under the revised plan. The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation announced a review of the NDP in April 2025. The review is due to be complete in July 2025.

I am further advised by the Courts Service that the OPW has recently undertaken some works to preserve the roof of Wicklow Courthouse. All internal works associated with the tender are now complete and work has commenced on the roof of the Courthouse to commence addressing the dry rot which has spread through adjoining buildings.

As requested by the Deputy, the Courts Service has provided a full breakdown of all costs, including their nature, for the closed Wicklow Courthouse for each year between 2010 and 2025, in tabular form (Figure 1).

The Courts Service has further advised that, while open to making the Courthouse available for community usage, it is not currently in a position to do so for health and safety reasons. However, the Service has already liaised with Wicklow County Council and made the adjoining former Library building available to the Council, which is currently being used as a Ukrainian Hub. In addition, the Courts Service are open to engaging with all interested parties.

To be of further assistance, the Courts Service has provided current waiting times at Bray District and Circuit courts in tabular form (Figure 2). Bray currently serves as the main court venue for County Wicklow.