Following my discussions with Galway County Council officials and Court Services officials, I welcome the fact that both sets of officials are to meet next week in Tuam to discuss the development of the site.

I understand that the court services will also meet with the elected representatives of Tuam Municipal District.

The site is in a derelict state and has been an eyesore in the town. The Court Services spent in excess of €600,000 in purchasing the building at the rear of the Courthouse.

The major issue to be sorted is the status of the existing building. It is presently designated a Protected Structure.

“The meeting is significant in that it represents the first step in getting a permanent home for the court services in Tuam. The court services are a very important business in Tuam and they need to be retained in Tuam on a permanent basis”, stated Deputy Canney.

“Once a solution has been found to the protected status I will endeavour to secure the necessary funding to develop the site”, concluded Deputy Canney.