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Court Judgments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (105, 560)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

105. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the action her Department will take to address the issue of non-engagement by undersheriff's offices in regard to Circuit Court judgments. [16236/22]

View answer

Sorca Clarke

Question:

560. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the action her Department will take to address the issue of non-engagement by undersheriff offices in regard to Circuit Court judgments. [16079/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 560 together.

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 advised me of the following.

Sheriffs (or County Registrars acting as Sheriffs) are officers of the Court and are independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and rules of court. They are responsible to the Court for the enforcement of Court Orders. Procedures governing the execution of Court Orders are set out in the Enforcement of Court Orders Acts, 1926 to 1940 and the Rules of Court made thereunder.

I am advised by the Courts Service that the work of Under Sheriffs was curtailed by the pandemic with restrictions on non-essential travel limiting their ability to operate normally. As much of their work involves site visits and meetings with clients, such journeys posed an increased health and safety risk to them and their staff.

With the lifting of restrictions, Under Sheriff operations have begun to return to normal with most Under Sheriffs now operating as before the pandemic. That said, Under Sheriffs and the Courts Service remain conscious that Covid-19 infection numbers remain elevated, and so continue to adhere to public health guidelines to ensure all persons involved are not exposed to unnecessary risk of contracting this illness.

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