Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of accused persons currently on bail throughout the country; the extent to which the number has fluctuated in each of the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8595/24]
View answerAs previously advised, in relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, the provision of figures in relation to decisions of the Courts as to whether or not to grant bail are a matter for the Courts Service.
Management of the courts, operational and logistical matters are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As the Deputy will be aware, I have no role in this regard. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
In order to be of assistance, my Department contacted the Courts Service to see if the statistics requested by the Deputy are available. I am advised by the Courts Service that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to provide the specific information sought.
