Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
562. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the construction of the new family court facility at Hammond Lane, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24785/23]
View answerReforming the operation of the family justice system to ensure that we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court system is a key continuing commitment in the Department's Justice Plan. The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to build a new Family Law Court building in Dublin.
The construction of a purpose-built Family Law Court complex at Hammond Lane is a key project in the National Development Plan. The Hammond Lane complex will be built with the specific needs of family law users in mind and will provide a modern facility where family law cases can be held in a dignified, secure and non-threatening environment with a range of support services at hand. It will replace the present inadequate and fragmented facilities for family law in central Dublin at Dolphin House, Chancery Street, Phoenix House and in the Four Courts.
A Preliminary Business Case developed in compliance with the requirements of the Public Spending code was approved in principle in June 2022. The original intention was that Hammond Lane would be delivered as part of a bundle of PPP projects including two Garda Projects. It has now been decided that the two Garda projects will be decoupled from the PPP and proceed by traditional direct exchequer funding. Accordingly, Hammond Lane will proceed as a stand-alone PPP Project with appropriate governance arrangements being revised in that context.
Detailed plans and layouts for the Hammond Lane building have been prepared by the OPW and provide for a 5 storey over basement building, comprising 19 courtrooms, consultation rooms/spaces, staff and judicial accommodation, a variety of public waiting areas, space for mediation and domestic violence support services, accommodation for legal practitioners and custody facilities. The Courts Service undertook an extensive consultation exercise with stakeholders during Q4 2022 during which the plans were very positively received.
The submission of the Part 9 planning application is the immediate priority for the Hammond Lane project, work on which is being undertaken on behalf of the Courts Service by the OPW and will be completed in advance of the tendering process.
In parallel to the Part 9 planning process, the NDFA has commenced preparations for a procurement process, including procurements for legal and technical advisors.
The procurement and construction stages of the project will be undertaken and managed by the NDFA and, in line with Government PPP procedures, it is anticipated that this key project will be delivered in the latter half of the current NDP.
