asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the rates of travelling, subsistence and other allowances payable to judges of the Supreme Court, High Court and Circuit Court respectively as at 28th February, 1948, and 31st October, 1949.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Judges' Allowances.
It is only for the purpose of holding the sittings of the High Court on circuit that it is necessary for the judges of the Supreme Court and High Court to do any travelling. Under Section 44 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936, it is the duty of the county registrar to arrange for the provision of suitable lodgings, meals and other accommodation for the judges. The financial arrangements are subject to the approval of the Minister for Finance and the expenses incurred fall to be met by the Exchequer in accordance with the statute. To cover the travelling and incidental expenses of himself and his usher, each judge receives a sum of £50 per sitting, which may be increased to a maximum of £100 on the certificate of the judge that he has actually and necessarily spent more. This was the arrangement that was in force on the 28th February, 1948, and is still in force.
Circuit judges receive travelling and subsistence allowances at the rates from time to time applicable to the highest class of civil servant. In addition, each judge is allowed a sum of 10/- a night towards the cost of a private sitting-room in cases where such expense has actually been incurred. One of the judges is in receipt of a consolidated allowance of £350 a year based, of course, on a careful estimate of the expenses likely to be incurred. These arrangements have remained unaltered since the 28th February, 1948.