Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have not deflected any staff from the hearings or the progression of cases. We have simplified the whole procedure. There were situations where the same case was being run in parallel in two different hearing routes. The same substantive case was being heard in two different arena. We are streamlining the process, for example, by reducing 30 forms down to one. This change has been concerned with simplifying the process and making it user-friendly and having a quicker interaction. Cases that have perhaps been wrongly put together will be spotted to ensure they do not proceed for a long period before they are sent back to the start. It has taken a lot of work to streamline what has been a very complex process. The objective was to make it easier. Resources have not been moved from hearings into the administrative improvement and I pay tribute to the staff who have been extraordinarily flexible in managing the change. It has been remarkable.

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