“Courts Service Lacks Adequate Justice Funding”

TD Patrick Costello of Dublin’s Green Party suggests that recent data from the Courts Service supports the argument that inadequate state funding is hindering their ability to maintain enough staff for effective legal processes to take place. With 1,285 full-time employees, 91 vacancies and a workforce that ought to have 63 additional employees, the Courts Service’s numbers fail to meet its projected workforce goal, as per the figures supplied by the service in response to Costello’s parliamentary query.

Emphasizing the gravity of underinvestment in the courts to facilitate their operation for citizens, Mr Costello draws attention to ongoing delays in several court offices, including the central office of the High court and the Probate Office. He also highlights the continued operation of the High Court central office under COVID-19 regulations, leading to frustrating hold-ups and hindrances for those seeking prompt hearing of urgent applications due to the need for appointments.

Costello noted that the Government has sanctioned the selection of more judges over the forthcoming years, in accordance with the Judicial Planning Working Group’s report recommendations. This consent also covers the appointment of additional registrars and other court staff.

However, the TD finds it disconcerting that the Department of Justice hesitates to invest in justice administration for the conventional citizen, identifying it as an issue pertinent to access to justice.

In his query to the Justice Minister, Costello had enquired about the existing staffing, unoccupied posts and the overall aimed workforce in the Courts Service. Angela Denning, the Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service, issued the reply on 11 July stating that 1,285 full-time workers were in service by June 2024’s end. Her response elucidated the goal for the service workforce to be at 1,348, but expressed that the service isn’t financially equipped to maintain such staff numbers. Instead, it’s budgeted for between 1,250 to 1,260 full-time workers.

Ms Denning further stated that strict management would lower the FTE to approximately 1,270 to manage payroll expenses. The October 2024 budget vote capped this number to 1,320 full-time positions. Responding to Mr Costello’s remarks, a spokesman from the Courts Service remarked that annual budget processing funds it, covering staffing. They also mentioned preparation has begun to negotiate for the 2025 budget.

While conflict over fees persists, criminal barristers have planned another strike set for this coming Wednesday. This appears to follow a pattern, as they have previously refused services twice this month already. Their demand is twofold; they aim to negate all payment cuts that were applied during the recession period and are still in effect, whilst also seeking a system that can mandate the charges paid to them by the Director of Public Prosecutions and through the criminal legal aid system.

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