Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
430. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the additional funding sought by the Courts Service under the most recent Estimates process; the amount ultimately allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54673/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts and operational matters, including matters pertaining to the maintenance and use of court buildings, are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of these functions.
As part of the budgetary process each year, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation sets overall expenditure ceilings for each Ministerial Vote Group. These are laid out at Vote level in the Budget Day Expenditure Report published in October with further detail provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published in December.
Vote 22 is the Courts Service Vote. A total of almost €217 million is being provided for the Courts Service in 2026. The allocation allows for the continued progress of the courts modernisation programme, which will simplify court proceeding processes and make services more accessible. This ten year programme will deliver a new operating model for the Courts Service designed around the needs of the user, with clear, standardised services and accessible data to inform decisions.
Funding of €4.2 million has also been provided for additional staff to support the work of new and existing judges, reduce existing backlogs and help establish the new family courts. I am particularly pleased to note the progress made on advancing the progress of the new family law courts at Hammond Lane in Dublin, with construction of this public-private partnership project due to start next year.
