I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 169 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the provision of court statistics is a matter for the Courts Service and I no longer have direct responsibility in this regard.
However, I understand from the Courts Service that delays in hearing family law cases have generally been reduced and in the majority of Circuit Courts any case in which both parties are ready to proceed will be listed for hearing at the next sittings of the Circuit Court.
I also understand that there is generally no delay in provincial District Courts as applications are usually listed for the next family law sitting. There is currently a delay of nine to ten weeks in Dublin Metropolitan District Court for barring order applications. Other matters such as maintenance and custody applications take three months. Of course, emergency applications, interim barring order applications, for example, are dealt with on the day of application.
I am aware, however, that there are delays of between three and 12 months in some Circuit Court areas in family law matters. I am, of course, conscious of the emotional distress and anxiety family law cases can cause for all the parties concerned. Consequently I recently obtained Government approval for the appointment of an additional judge of the Circuit Court. This appointment will enable the President of the Circuit Court, who is, of course, responsible for the ordering of Court business, to address the problem of delays in so far as they can be attributed to the shortage of judges.