Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2026
1369. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether additional sitting days, judicial resources or administrative staffing have been allocated since 2024 to District Court offices experiencing extended waiting times for domestic violence applications; and if they will provide details by court district. [42610/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, it is my priority to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively.
In relation to steps taken to increase the number of judges, to ensure that our judiciary is resourced appropriately, 24 additional judges were appointed in 2023 on foot of the Judicial Planning Working Group report. On December 10 2025, the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 was signed into law by the President, and the relevant provisions to allow for the recruitment of additional judges were commenced on 30 January 2026. The Act provides for the increase in the number of judges in each Court jurisdiction by a further 21 posts. Taken together, these two sets of appointments represent an increase of approximately 25% in the number of Judges in Ireland.
Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the management and administration of the courts is a matter for the Courts Service, while the allocation of court business, the scheduling of cases and the management of court lists are matters for the Judiciary, in particular the Presidents of the Courts. Judges are, under the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
I am advised by the Courts Service that it does not hold the information sought, in the format requested, on the allocation of additional sittings, judicial resources or administrative staffing in respect of domestic violence applications, as resources are assigned to court offices and court areas to support a range of business, including crime, civil and family matters, rather than being allocated by reference to domestic violence applications only.
I am further informed by the Courts Service that waiting times for domestic violence applications (and all other District Court business) are kept under review by the President of the District Court as part of the ongoing management of court business. The Courts Service works closely with the Judiciary to support the efficient operation of the courts and to minimise delays, including facilitating additional sittings where this is possible within available resources.
