2529. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a full and current update on the proposed new Dublin Family Courts complex at Hammond Lane, Smithfield; the present status of the project; the current stage of procurement; the anticipated contract award date; the confirmed or anticipated date for construction to commence; the estimated completion and opening date; the current estimated total cost; and will he make a statement on the matter. [63298/26]

2570. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a full and current update on the proposed new Dublin Family Courts complex at Hammond Lane, Smithfield (details supplied). [63503/26]

2597. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the proposed Dublin Family Courts complex at Hammond Lane, Smithfield, including the present status of the project; the current stage of procurement; the anticipated contract award date; the confirmed or anticipated date for construction to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63546/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2529, 2570 and 2597 together.

The construction of a purpose-built family law courts complex at Hammond Lane is a key priority for the Courts Service and a key Justice sector project in the National Development Plan. The new Dublin Family Courts Complex will be a modern purpose-built 19 courtroom facility where family law cases can be held in a dignified, secure and non-threatening environment with a range of support services to hand. It has been designed and will be built with the specific needs of Family Law court users in mind and will benefit families who interact with the courts at some of the most challenging junctures in their lives.

The provision of a safe and secure environment for all court users is a key objective for the facility. A variety of measures will be implemented to achieve this including separate circulation routes for staff, judges, members of the public and persons in custody, clear and simple layouts providing clear sightlines, a variety of waiting spaces located throughout the building, private interview rooms where Courts Service staff can meet with members of the public in private, security screening areas, a custody suite, CCTV and access control. The provision of an on site security service is also proposed.

Specifically in relation to domestic violence, the design of the facility provides for dedicated domestic violence accommodation, where providers of domestic violence support services will be able to meet clients/victims of domestic violence in a safe and secure private environment. It is proposed that the dedicated domestic violence accommodation will include office space, meeting rooms, bathroom facilities, video conferencing facilities, waiting areas and tea/coffee making facilities.

Good progress is being made in delivering this much needed facility. Key achievements to date include:

• Approval in principle to proceed with the project was granted by my Department in July 2023, following submission of a preliminary business case by the Courts Service as sponsoring agency.

• Detailed plans/layouts for the building were developed by the OPW and approved by the Courts Service. The plans provide for a 6 storey over basement building providing approximately 18,250 sq m of purpose built accommodation.

• Planning permission was granted by the Commissioners of Public Works in April 2024.

• Technical and legal advisors were appointed by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on behalf of the Courts Service in 2024.

• The procurement process was initiated in July 2024. The project is being procured by the NDFA on behalf of the Courts Service in conjunction with the OPW, using the Competitive Dialogue procurement procedure pursuant to EU and national procurement law.

• In November 2024 candidates were pre-qualified to participate in the tender competition for the project.

• Following preparation of the tender documents the project was formally handed over to the NDFA for procurement in accordance with the project governance arrangements in August 2025. On 28 August 2025, the NDFA issued the tender documentation to the shortlisted candidates.

• The competitive dialogue phase of the procurement process completed in Q1 2026.

The closing date for receipt of tenders was 25th March. Subject to the successful completion of the procurement process, it is envisaged that construction will commence in 2027 with the building becoming operational during 2029. The Contract Notice for the project published in July 2024 shows an estimated capex cost of circa €150 million ex VAT. The actual costs will be informed by the procurement process.