Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
554. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of family law cases initiated in the Dublin District Court in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55238/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra555. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of family law cases initiated in the Dublin Circuit Court in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 555 together.
As the Deputy is aware, 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, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that the collation of data associated with family law proceedings in respect of 2017 has not yet been completed. However, the Courts Service has provided the following provisional data, which is not expected to change substantially.
The Courts Service has informed me that during the course of 2017 a total of 2,782 new cases were initiated in private family law proceedings in the Dublin District Court. These are cases where proceedings between litigants were initiated in the Dublin District Court for the first time during 2017. In addition, during the course of the year, the court issued a total of 14,842 new summons related to such proceedings. These summonses relate not only to the new cases initiated during the course of 2017 but also to historic cases initiated in previous years where new applications related thereto came before the Court during 2017. Private family law proceedings generally relate to domestic violence cases and applications for custody, access, guardianship and maintenance matters.
The Courts Service has also informed me that in relation to public family law (childcare proceedings) a total of 117 new cases were lodged with the Dublin District Court during 2017. These are cases where proceedings were initiated in the Dublin District Court for the first time during 2017. In addition, a total of 3,151 applications were dealt with by the Court during 2017 including applications for extension of interim care orders. These applications relate not only to the new cases initiated during the course of 2017 but also to historic cases initiated in previous years where new applications related thereto came before the Court during 2017.
The Courts Service has further informed me that during the course of 2017 a total of 2,411 new cases were initiated in the Dublin Circuit Family Law Court. These are cases where proceedings between litigants were initiated in the Dublin Circuit Family Law Court for the first time during 2017. The data provided includes 1,212 divorce civil bills, 424 judicial separation civil bills, 155 marriage exemption applications and a total of 490 new appeals received from the District Court.
