Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 Mar 1938

Vol. 70 No. 7

Estimates for Public Services. - Vote 36—Supreme Court and High Court of Justice.

Mr. Ruttledge

I move:-

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £34,640 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1939, chun pé cuíd de Thuarastáil agus de Chostaisí Chúirt Uachtarach agus Ard-Chúirt an Bhreithiúnais nach muirear ar an bPrímh-Chiste (Uimh. 27 de 1926 agus Uimh. 48 de 1936).

That a sum not exceeding £34,640 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1939, for such of the Salaries and Expenses of the Supreme Court and High Court of Justice as are not charged on the Central Fund (No. 27 of 1926 and No. 48 of 1936).

General MacEoin

The question of court stenographers has already been raised. I notice that the reduction in the sub-head is very slight, but I have here a memorandum which I will send to the Minister showing that their salaries have been reduced by over 50 per cent. These poor men had nine or ten years' employment in these positions and it is rather hard luck on them to be practically wiped out of existence in a moment. Some of them are doing extra work and not getting extra pay.

Mr. Ruttledge

I do not know about doing extra work, but the position is that when the Courts of Justice Bill was going through the House, I explained that the provision we had been able to make to the Department of Finance was that those whose services would be dispensed with would receive half a year's pay in lieu of notice. We did promise to try to fix up something, and I think that two or three of these men have been fixed up in the Central Criminal Court, and so on. We were anxious to fix them up in other employment if we possibly could.

General MacEoin

At that time I made my plea on some cases which I knew. One officer in particular was an old Volunteer officer. He is employed up to about 50 per cent. of his time. I will give the Minister the memorandum.

Vote put and agreed to.