Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate numbers of judges are available at the District Court, Circuit Court or the higher courts to ensure the minimisation of any delays in the processing of cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53078/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Courts Service is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts. The scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are under the Constitution independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The Presidents monitor waiting times across all court lists and seek to ensure the optimum use of court time. The Courts Service has informed me that the primary objective for the Service is to maintain the delivery of front line court sittings and services. The Courts Service continuously works to support the judiciary and assist in ensuring that cases are dealt with as effectively and as speedily as possible. Available resources and operational and organisational structures are under ongoing review to ensure that resources are targeted and focused on keeping waiting times in the provision of services to a minimum.
The Deputy may also be aware that, following the appointment of two additional Supreme Court Judges on 17 October, the Supreme Court has begun to sit in two panels to address the backlog that has accumulated in the Supreme Court over the past number of years and the proposed establishment of a Court of Appeal will provide long-needed reform of our courts system.
There are currently three judicial vacancies in the High Court, one in the Circuit Court and one in the District Court. The Government recently nominated a Circuit Court judge who is due to be appointed shortly and the other vacancies will be filled as soon as possible.
