Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Court funds that are held for the benefit of wards of court are private funds under the control of the Courts Service. Through its offices in the High, District and Circuit Courts, the service has responsibility for the management and investment of funds in court. The courts are subject only to the Constitution and the law and are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. It is not open to me as Minister to comment in any way on the operation of the courts. However, I want to point out that the Courts Service operates a fairly conservative investment policy. Despite the impact of the credit crisis, all funds have fully recovered to their levels before the financial crisis.

I reiterate that if a ward of court wishes to apply to the Department of Social Protection, he or she is welcome to do so. If a ward of court is at a financial loss and consequently qualifies for a higher rate of payment - or if he or she qualifies for disability allowance for the first time because his or her means have been reduced - the appropriate level of disability allowance will be paid to him or her. My Department is responsible for that aspect of the matter. As the Deputy will appreciate, the courts themselves are independent in the operation of their functions.

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