828. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being incorporated to ensure victims and survivors of domestic violence have safe, private, trauma-informed and appropriately separated facilities, including secure waiting areas so that victims are not required to wait in close proximity to alleged perpetrators in the new Dublin Family Courts; the dedicated facilities and supports that will be provided for victims of domestic violence and their children; and the consultation that has taken place directly with victims and survivors in the design and planned operation of the new complex. [64423/26]

829. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a 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; and the estimated completion and opening date; and the current estimated total cost. [64422/26]

832. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the Hammond Lane Courthouse; the actions taken to ensure its delivery; the date on which this facility will be open for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64514/26]

864. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the proposed Dublin Family Courts complex at Hammond Lane, including procurement, construction and opening timelines and estimated cost; the provisions being incorporated for separate entrances, secure waiting areas, private consultation rooms and safe facilities for children; and the consultation undertaken with victims, survivors and specialist domestic violence organisations. [64728/26]

867. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the proposed new family court complex in Smithfield, Dublin 7. [64742/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 828, 829, 832, 864 and 867 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, 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 onsite 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.

During the design phase the project team consulted the main providers of domestic violence support services regarding the Dublin Family Courts facility, in particular the dedicated domestic violence accommodation.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

On 9 September last, I received Cabinet approval for the project to move to appoint a preferred tenderer for the Dublin Family Courts ahead of contract award in due course.

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 capital expenditure cost of circa €150 million ex VAT. Given the current stage of the procurement process and matters relating to commercial sensitivity, I cannot comment further on the project costs at this stage.