Austin Currie
Question:87 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice when she will bring forward proposals to eliminate the backlog of circuit court cases, in particular, family law cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1231/94]
Written Answers. - Backlog of Court Cases.
Austin Currie
Question:88 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice the action, if any, she will take to reduce the backlog of civil cases in Cork city and county where 6,500 cases are currently waiting to be heard and it is expected that this number will have increased to 7,500 by March 1995, if action is not taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1232/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
I am very concerned at the level of the backlog of civil cases which await hearing in Cork Circuit Court. I am also concerned at the level of the backlog of cases including family law cases, which await hearing at other circuit court venues throughout the country and I am committed to using the resources available to me to reduce these backlogs and the consequent level of delays in hearing such cases.
A review of the activity levels in the courts to assess the impact of the altered jurisdiction of the courts under the Courts Act, 1991 has been completed in my Department. The results of this review have formed the basis of proposals which I will bring to Government shortly with a view to eliminating arrears in the Circuit Court.
In addition, a committee has been established under the chairmanship of the President of the Circuit Court to examine and report on the numbers and boundaries of existing circuits with a view, inter alia, to preventing such arrears arising in the future.