Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide statistics for the delays in family law proceedings in Letterkenny Circuit Court; if there are plans to reduce waiting times for contested cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13160/26]
View answerManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
To ensure that our judiciary is resourced appropriately, 24 additional judges were appointed in 2023 on foot of the Judicial Planning Working Group report. Following an impact assessment, Government approved to increase judicial numbers by a second tranche of an additional 20 extra judicial posts in October 2024. On December 10 2025, the legislation to enable this was enacted through the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025.
As the specific matter of waiting times at Letterkenny Circuit Court are an operational matter for the Courts Service, I have referred this element of the question to the Courts Service for their direct reply. The Deputy may also be aware that the Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
