Courts Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Questions (92)

Derek Keating

Question:

92. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the resignation of convicted District Court judge (details supplied), a judge found guilty of attempting to deceive an elderly client, if he will outline the salary that the judge was in receipt of; the length of time they were a Justice of the District Court; if their resignation entitles them to any pension, gratuity, lump sum payment, severance or any other such payment from the Courts Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54351/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is responsible for the pay and pensions of the judiciary. The salary payable to a District Court Judge appointed prior to 1 January 2012 is €136,124. Judges' pensions are calculated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions and paid from Central Funds. Pensions in respect of District Judges are payable at 65 years based on 1/40th of salary per year of service up to a maximum period of twenty years. A gratuity is calculated at 3/40ths of salary per year of service up to a maximum of 1.5 times salary. Under the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended), a judge who has served a minimum of two years may apply for a preserved pension on reaching 65 years. Alternatively, a judge over the age of 60 who has served a minimum of two years may apply for Cost Neutral Early Retirement (provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012). Under this scheme benefits are payable immediately subject to cost neutral reduction on an actuarial basis. The individual referred to by the Deputy was appointed to the District Court on 12 February 2009 and resigned on 26 November 2012.