Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
552. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which adequate judges are being appointed to the various courts in order to minimise delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34362/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware and in accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President, acting on the advice of the Government. The assignment of judges once appointed is the responsibility for the respective president of the various Courts. Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
It is a priority for my Department to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively for citizens in their access to justice. The Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity.
The final report of the Judicial Planning Working Group, which was established to consider the number of, and type of, judges required to ensure the efficient administration of justice over the next five years, was published on 27 February 2023. The final Report makes 54 recommendations, including a substantial increase in judicial numbers with 44 additional judges to be appointed in two phases.
There is a current legislative provision for 198 judicial posts. A first tranche of 24 additional judges were approved by Government on 21 February, with a further 20 planned in a second tranche to follow an assessment of impact of the first tranche of judges.
Before additional judges in Phase 2 are appointed, the JPWG report highlighted that there should be an assessment of the impact of the extra judges appointed in Phase 1 and progress against key milestones in the Change Programme.
The report outlines that these indicators should be capable of capturing improvements in efficiency and effectiveness and have regard to increased caseloads, changing demographics, economic conditions, and the impact of new legislation as well as improvements from the implementation of modernisation measures.
Officials in the Department of Justice are in the process of establishing an implementation programme including the development of indicators that will demonstrate the impact of any Judges appointed under tranche one which are required before a second tranche can be appointed.
As of 10 July 2023, 13 of the 24 additional judges in tranche one have been nominated while 11 vacancies remain to be filled.
