Contract notice released for Dublin court PPP
The Government of Ireland has launched the procurement of a new purpose-built family law courts complex in Dublin.
The National Treasury Management Agency (describing itself as the National Development Finance Agency) acting for and on behalf of the Department of Justice and the Courts Service intends to procure, by Public Private Partnership (PPP), the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of a new family courts complex in Dublin. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is seeking expressions of interest by September 6th for the PPP contract.
The Department of Justice is the Approving Authority, and the Courts Service is the Sponsoring Agency, for the Project. The NDFA, as agent for and on behalf of the Authority is managing the competition and procuring the Project. The NDFA, as agent for and on behalf of the Authority, will execute the Project Agreement. The Office of Public Works (Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland) are the planning and building control authority of the Project.
Describing the progress as “a significant milestone”, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said:
“The Dublin Family Courts complex is key to fulfilling the potential of the Family Justice Strategy and Family Courts Bill. This progress brings us one step closer to a better, more empathetic, and child-centred family justice system. The Dublin Family Courts complex will help families achieve the best possible outcome for their individual circumstances at what can be an extremely difficult and stressful time in people’s lives”.
Angela Denning, Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service said:
“There has been a determined focus by the Courts Service going back many years to bring this important project to fruition. We will keep the momentum going and look forward to working with the Office of Public Works and the National Development Finance Agency to deliver this much-needed facility as quickly as possible.”
It is anticipated that the complex will be completed during 2028.
In July 2023, the Department of Justice approved in principle a proposal for the development of a family law courts complex at the Hammond Lane site as a Courts Service PPP project. This was followed by the submission and granting of a Part IX planning application in 2024 by the OPW.
The Hammond Lane site extends to approx. 0.45 ha and is located adjacent to the Four Courts in Dublin 7.
The Dublin Family Courts PPP project will deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose family law court complex in Dublin. It will be built with the specific needs of family law court users in mind. On completion, it will replace the existing family court facilities in central Dublin at Dolphin House, Chancery Street, Phoenix House and the Four Courts. It is anticipated that the project will have a capital value of c. €150 million.
The OJEU notice is available here: https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/449124-2024
The third European Infrastructure Conference will take place in Dublin on November 14th, for more information go to: https://www.europeaninfrastructureconference.com/
