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Courts Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Questions (581)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

581. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the circumstances under which it was justifiable to increase the fee for Supreme Court appeals from €138 to €250; the person who proposed the increase; his plans to reverse same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8200/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that fees charged in the courts are set by means of Statutory Instrument. Court fees orders are made by myself as the Minister for Justice and Equality with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

During 2013, the Courts Service carried out a comprehensive review of court fees. The review considered areas in which court fees were unduly low having regard to the service being provided. It also examined the scope to harmonise and standardise court fees within and across jurisdictions to facilitate the introduction of on-line fee payments and the scope to introduce fees for items that were currently exempt from fees. Fees for new areas of work which were not reflected in the existing fees orders were proposed and the impending increase in the jurisdictional limits of the Circuit and District Courts, which since came into effect on 3 February 2014, was taken into consideration. The Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2014 (S.I. 24 of 2014) also came into effect on the 3 February 2014. This order, which includes the fee for Supreme Court Appeals, was made on foot of recommendations from the Courts Service on appropriate scales of court fees and charges in accordance with Section 6 (2)(e)of the Courts Service Act, 1998. As the Deputy will appreciate, court fee income forms a significant part of the funding for the general operation of the courts and the Courts Service keeps its fee structure under continuous review in accordance with the power given to it under the Courts Service Act. In view of the foregoing, I have no plans to reverse the fees introduced on 3 February last.

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