Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
132. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 4 October 2016, the details of which travel and subsistence expenses are subject to regulation and thus must be vouched, and which travel and subsistence expenses may be claimed without being vouched. [34424/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that all judicial travel and subsistence expenses are subject to regulation. Travel and Subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with rates sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and are paid in compliance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations.
These regulations set out fixed rates payable to judges for mileage and subsistence where judges are required to travel in the performance of their official duties. Expenses claimed which are not covered by these fixed rates should be vouched, for example, expenses incurred in the use of public transport and car parking. All judicial travel and subsistence claims are checked and validated by the Courts Service prior to payment authorisation. This process ensures that claims comply with all relevant regulations and that the amounts claimed are correct.
