asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to pay salaries direct to Circuit Court Clerk Assistants.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CLERK ASSISTANTS—CIRCUIT COURT.
replying: The Minister for Finance has recently sanctioned the payment of salaries on a temporary basis to the existing staffs of Circuit Court offices, and arrangements are being completed for the payment of these salaries direct to the officers concerned. The permanent arrangements which it will be necessary to make for the general staffing of Circuit Court offices, as provided for by Section 42 of the Court Officers Act, 1926, are at present under consideration, but owing to the necessity for a thorough examination of the actual requirements of the various offices, it will not be possible to complete a scheme of reorganisation for some months.
Is the Minister in a position to state when these people will be paid? Is he aware that since September 1st, in consequence of the new Act, these people are in a worse position than ever, in view of the fact that Clerks of the Peace used to get a certain allowance to pay those people which they had to supplement out of their own pocket, but that since the passing of the Act they have discontinued that practice and the persons concerned are now in a worse condition than before?
That is correct. There has been a certain amount of delay in this matter. I cannot say exactly when the salaries will be paid direct, but I do not think there will be any appreciable delay.
Will the Minister undertake to have the matter speeded up?
Certainly.