12 December 2014

Mr. Simon Harris, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), together with the Hon. Mrs. Justice Susan Denham, Chief Justice of Ireland and the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald today welcomed the announcement that a portion of the OPW site at Hammond Lane will be developed for the Family Law Court for the Courts Service.

Speaking on site today, Minister Harris said " My Office, the Office of Public Works, has a strong working relationship with the Courts Service on the provision of their facilities and I am delighted that we can progress the development of the Family Law Court on this site. My Office will commence the feasibility study and the development of the brief with the Courts Service and I have no doubt that the new facility will offer the highest level of accommodation for the service. In addition, the site will provide much needed accommodation for other State services".

Chief Justice Denham said today, “ There is a great need for a single centre where family justice cases may be heard, with all the required support services at hand. This site poses a great opportunity for us to do something positive. The site can link the administration of family law, and many other of our public services to the Four Courts complex."

Minster for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said, “I am fully aware of the need to develop suitable and appropriate facilities in regard to family law cases. Families are at their most vulnerable when they are seeking many of the services that are available to them in dealing with their situation. I fully support the plans to centralise all family law business, including mediation and legal aid services in Dublin, and that the planned facilities at this site would comply with modern standards for court accommodation and would, most importantly, meet the needs of its clients who come to court at a difficult time."

The Minister continued, "This is an ambitious project which will require detailed planning and consultation and I am happy that my Department will engage fully in taking this forward".

The Minister also referred to the Programme for Government commitment to undertake significant reform of the courts, including reform of the family law court structure so that is streamlined, more efficient, more user-friendly and less costly.

Minister Fitzgerald added, “Work is underway in my Department to prepare legislative proposals to give effect to this commitment and I intend to bring these proposals to Government early in the New Year.”

Minister Harris concluded "I am also delighted to confirm that the works to the iconic Four Courts Dome will commence next week. The Dublin skyline will change over the coming weeks as people will see scaffolding cover the Dome over the next five to six weeks and will remain in place for eighteen months while the inspection and conservation works take place."

-Ends-

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 01 647 6128, 087 947 5552 or colette.davis@opw.ie

Note to Editors:

• About the Hammond Lane Site:

The Hammond Lane site was purchased by the Office of Public Works in 2000 and is 0.45 hectares. A portion of this site will be used to develop the Family Law Courts for the Courts Service. The Office of Public Works will commence a Feasibility Study on the options available for the provision of accommodation at this site for the Courts Service.

• Works to the Four Courts Dome:

In light of concerns that have arisen over the condition and stability of stonework constituting the Four Courts Dome, works are due to start to erect scaffolding around its perimeter. This will facilitate the inspection of the Dome and the development of a strategy for subsequent repair works. The School of Engineering in Trinity College Dublin will also contribute by undertaking mapping, analysis and strength testing as part of a research project