Noel Davern
Question:29 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Justice whether a Supplementary Estimate will be required to fund the appointment of additional judges and ancillary staff. [7035/96]
Written Answers. - Funding of Additional Judges and Staff.
The Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, provided for an increase in the maximum number of judges who could be appointed and the appointment of additional judges under the terms of that Act, is now taking place. The salaries of judges are charged on and payable directly from the Central Fund and as such do not require to be voted by the Dáil on an annual basis. Therefore, the question of a Supplementary Estimate does not arise in relation to the appointment of additional judges. I should add that the estimated cost of judicial salaries which is included in the Government White Paper on the 1996 Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure does allow for the additional appointments planned for 1996.
With regard to the ancillary staff to be provided in connection with the additional judges the position is that the cost of such appointments is met from the Courts Vote of the Department of Justice. I do not anticipate, at this stage, that a Supplementary Estimate will be required to fund the appointment of these staff.