Delays in the hearing of court cases have been a matter of concern for some time. To address the problem of delays in the courts I introduced the necessary legislative provisions under the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, the Courts Act, 1996 and the Courts Act, 1997, to increase the total maximum number of judges who can be appointed to the courts from 86 to 110. To date all but seven of the additional judges provided for have been appointed. The necessary court support staff have also been provided.
I am happy to note that the additional judicial and staffing resources provided, which represent an annual investment by the Government of approximately £2.5 million have already produced a significant reduction in the backlog of cases awaiting hearing and I am confident that they will continue to assist in the prompt disposal of cases.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that delays in the hearing of civil cases in Donegal Circuit Court have been reduced from 12 months in July 1996 to approximately six months at present and that there are no delays in the hearing of family law business and criminal business. I also understand that the President of the Circuit Court is arranging for the temporary assignment of an additional judge to Donegal for a three week special sitting of the Circuit Court in April to further assist in the elimination of arrears.
I am aware that there are delays of up to two months in the hearing of civil cases in the District Court in Donegal and delays of up to four weeks in the hearing of family law cases and that these delays have only arisen recently. I am particularly concerned that there should be any delay in the hearing of family law cases. I understand that the President of the District Court arranged for the temporary assignment of an additional judge to Donegal for a special sitting for one week in March and that he has arranged for further special sittings of this court in May.
Closure of some District Court venues in Donegal has not contributed to delays in the hearing of cases. Court sittings have been rearranged to enable the hearings, which, in the past had been held in non-court accommodation, to be held in dedicated court facilities.
In relation to a review of the District and Circuit Courts areas, I would remind the Deputy that I established the Working Group on a Courts Commission to examine all aspects of the operation of the courts system and I await any recommendations the working group wish to make in this regard.