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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Court Waiting Lists.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

177 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to review the District and Circuit Court areas with specific emphasis on County Donegal in view of the long family law lists and the significant backlogs in civil law lists; and if she will make a statement on the way in which the closing of courts in County Donegal has impacted on this issue. [8467/97]

Delays in the hearing of court cases have been a matter of concern for some time. To address the problem of delays in the courts I introduced the necessary legislative provisions under the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, the Courts Act, 1996 and the Courts Act, 1997, to increase the total maximum number of judges who can be appointed to the courts from 86 to 110. To date all but seven of the additional judges provided for have been appointed. The necessary court support staff have also been provided.

I am happy to note that the additional judicial and staffing resources provided, which represent an annual investment by the Government of approximately £2.5 million have already produced a significant reduction in the backlog of cases awaiting hearing and I am confident that they will continue to assist in the prompt disposal of cases.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that delays in the hearing of civil cases in Donegal Circuit Court have been reduced from 12 months in July 1996 to approximately six months at present and that there are no delays in the hearing of family law business and criminal business. I also understand that the President of the Circuit Court is arranging for the temporary assignment of an additional judge to Donegal for a three week special sitting of the Circuit Court in April to further assist in the elimination of arrears.

I am aware that there are delays of up to two months in the hearing of civil cases in the District Court in Donegal and delays of up to four weeks in the hearing of family law cases and that these delays have only arisen recently. I am particularly concerned that there should be any delay in the hearing of family law cases. I understand that the President of the District Court arranged for the temporary assignment of an additional judge to Donegal for a special sitting for one week in March and that he has arranged for further special sittings of this court in May.

Closure of some District Court venues in Donegal has not contributed to delays in the hearing of cases. Court sittings have been rearranged to enable the hearings, which, in the past had been held in non-court accommodation, to be held in dedicated court facilities.

In relation to a review of the District and Circuit Courts areas, I would remind the Deputy that I established the Working Group on a Courts Commission to examine all aspects of the operation of the courts system and I await any recommendations the working group wish to make in this regard.

Reform of the family courts structure, in particular, was the subject of the recent Law Reform Commission Report on Family Courts. The recommendations contained in the report call for a combination of structural and legal reforms and a major injection of resources. These recommendations fall to be considered in the context of available resources and the Government's commitment to complete the steps necessary to strengthen family courts. The report will also, I expect, be given full consideration by the Working Group on a Courts Commission.
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