Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Judges who have been appointed to regions of more than 20 kilometres from their homes; the cost of their travel, subsistence, their allowances and expenses in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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1I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 386 on 28 June, 2011 and for his convenience I have again set out below the information requested. As the Deputy will appreciate court districts and circuits have more than one court venue and judges are required to travel between venues. During 2010, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 17 District judges and 13 Circuit Court judges assigned to districts or circuits the border of which is more than 20 km from their home. Details of payments made are set out overleaf. Table 1 District Court 2010

Table 2 Circuit Court 2010

Table 2 Circuit Court 2010

Judges also receive an annual expense allowance to cover the provision of a study and suitable library facilities when required to work at home, e.g. dealing with urgent applications in the case of the District Court or in the Higher Courts for the research and formulation of judgments. Unlike the allowances above, the annual expense allowance is paid from central funds directly through judges' remuneration. The current rates payable are:

President of the Circuit Court - €9,057.96

President of the District Court - €9,057.96

Circuit Court Judge - €2,730.02

District Court Judge - €1,365.01

I should add there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to provide a modern reformed framework for judicial expenses. My Department will be undertaking the necessary detailed work in this regard in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.