Parliamentary Question: Courts Service

7th December 2004

270.  Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has had an opportunity to examine the concept of community courts as outlined in a report (details supplied) for the Dublin City Centre Business Association; his views on whether this model will contribute to the better administration of justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32310/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):  The concept of community courts is receiving ongoing consideration within my Department. Officials of my Department have met the director of the New York based center for court innovation, the body responsible for the development of the Midtown community court and which is the court referred to by the Dublin City Business Association in its report.

The concept has some similarities with the pilot drug court programme which was launched in the Dublin District Court in 2001. Dublin's north inner city was chosen as the location from which to operate the pilot drug court. The programme marked a major policy initiative in the criminal justice system and was designed as an alternative measure for dealing with less serious and non-violent drug offenders. The project was evaluated by consultants at the end of the 18 month period in July 2002. They recommended that the pilot project be extended and the catchment area be widened to include the Dublin 7 area for the period of the extended pilot project to focus on the research and development activity necessary to roll-out the drug court more widely.

I welcomed the recommendations in the consultancy report and supported the extension of the drug court to the Dublin 7 catchment area. This will allow time for further consideration, in consultation with the relevant Departments and agencies, of how the drug court concept should be further developed and resourced. A further evaluation of the operation of the court in the extended area is being carried out by the Courts Service, after which an informed decision can be taken on its further expansion.