Vol. 334 No. 2
asked the Minister for Justice the special arrangements, if any, that have been made by his Department to cater for the increase in the number of cases that will have to be dealt with in the District Courts as on and from 12 May 1982 as a result of the provisions of the Courts Act, 1981.
307.
asked the Minister for Justice the special arrangements, if any, that have been made by his Department to cater for the increase in the number of cases that will have to be dealt with in the Circuit Court as on and from 12 May 1982 as a result of the provisions of the Courts Act, 1981.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.
While it is not possible at this stage to say exactly what additional staff and Justices may be required by the District Court consequent on the increased jurisdiction which is to be conferred on it by the Courts Act, 1981 as from 12 May 1982, the position is that provision has been made in the Department of Justice Estimates for 1982 for the appointment of additional court staff and Justices and they will be recruited as required. With regard to accommodation the position in Dublin is that arrangements have been made by the Office of Public Works to provide additional courtrooms and office accommodation in Dolphin House (the former Dolphin Hotel) which are expected to become available later this year.
Outside Dublin the provision of accommodation is a matter for the local authorities and, if it transpires that additional office or court accommodation is needed at any court venues consequent on the introduction of the new jurisdictions, the matter will be taken up with the local authorities concerned.
It is not expected that the increased jurisdiction of the Circuit Court will have any great effect on its work-load because, while that Court will gain business from the High Court, it is anticipated that this will, most likely, be offset fully by a loss of business to the District Court. Arrangements are, however, being made to provide a Circuit Court Family Law Court and office accommodation in Dolphin House to cater for the new family law jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.
