Vol. 511 No. 5
90 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an employer must carry the wage cost of an employee called for jury service for the duration of that service; if he has assessed the impact of his imposition on small businesses who may be employing very few people; and if he will introduce a scheme whereby a flat rate per diem payment will be made to those undertaking this duty. [24809/99]
There is no provision in the Juries Act, 1976 for the payment of expenses to jurors from State funds. When the Act was introduced, consideration was given to the matter of expenses but it was decided that expenses should not be paid as performance of jury service is considered to be a basic civic duty which arises relatively infrequently as far as the individual is concerned. Section 29 of the Act of 1976 does, however, make provision for employees to be paid by their employers while on jury service.
Under section 9 of the Act of 1976, a county registrar may excuse any person whom he or she has summoned as a juror from attendance during the whole or any part of the sittings in question if that person shows to the County Registrar's satisfaction that there is good reason why he or she should be so excused. This is entirely a matter for the County Registrar concerned and I have no function in this regard.
I have no current plans to change this system.
