Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has called on Government to clearly set out its long-term plans for Wicklow Courthouse, as well as its broader investment strategy in courthouse facilities across the county.
Brady’s comments come following an updated response from the Courts Service which states that funding has been allocated for the preparatory and planning work required to inform business cases for courthouse facilities in County Wicklow.
However, no specifics were offered in relation to Wicklow Courthouse or other facilities, and no estimate was given for the cost or timeframe of this work, and there appears to be absolutely no urgency behind the process.
Teachta Brady said:
“After 16 years of delays and broken promises, the people of Wicklow deserve more than another vague update on the future of Wicklow Courthouse.
“Last year, the Government quietly dropped funding from the Revised National Development Plan for the refurbishment of the courthouse for use by the Courts Service.
“We now learn that funding has been allocated for the preparatory and planning work required to inform business cases for courthouse facilities in County Wicklow. But beyond that, we have absolutely no specifics on how this process will progress and shape the future of the courthouse in Wicklow Town.
“Wicklow Courthouse is a landmark at the heart of our county town and the community deserves to know what Government’s long-term plan is for this important public building.
“The prolonged delays have also come at a significant cost to the taxpayer. Hundreds of thousands of euros have been spent over the years on electricity, heating, security and general maintenance, including €250,000 on roof repairs, while the building has remained vacant and unused.
“That money should have been invested in restoring the courthouse and bringing it back into productive community use.
“Every day that passes increases both the cost of restoration and the risk of further damage to the building.
“The continued deterioration of this building is completely unacceptable and Government must provide the funding needed to restore it and bring it back into meaningful community use.
“Securing the future of this landmark building is essential to unlocking the full potential of the Market Square and delivering the revitalisation that Wicklow Town deserves.
“In addition, the 2021 National Development Plan also provided for a new county-town-type court facility in Bray. This was not a proposal to simply reopen the old courthouse on Boghall Road, as the Courts Service had already determined that the former building was unsuitable for providing additional court capacity because of its size and location.
“Therefore, we need clarity on what has happened to this commitment to Bray, and how this new process for preparatory and planning work to inform business cases for courthouse facilities in County Wicklow is feeding into delivering on this commitment.
“The people of Wicklow are tired of empty promises. They want to see delivery.”
ENDS