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.

As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made regarding Portlaoise Courthouse.

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.