Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to appoint more judges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12773/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of judicial resources is, in the first instance, a matter for the Presidents of the Courts. I am guided by the Presidents as to the need for additional judges, subject to Exchequer constraints. It should be noted, however, that judicial numbers have been significantly increased in recent years. Fourteen additional judges were appointed under the provisions of the Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Act 2007: six to the District Court, four to the Circuit Court and six to the High Court. Furthermore, three additional District Court judges have recently been appointed following the enactment of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008. These additional judges constitute a significant increase in judicial resources and should positively impact on delays throughout the courts system.

Since 1997 the judges allocated to the court jurisdictions have increased as follows: