Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of tip staff employed in the Courts Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30444/11]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the salary paid to tip staff in the Courts Service; if there are different grades of salary; and if he will outline, in tabular form, whether tip staff are paid overtime and bonuses. [30445/11]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the qualifications required and the job description of tip staff in the Courts Service. [30446/11]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which the post of tip staff was last publicly advertised. [30447/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 to 145, inclusive, together.

The management and administration of the courts including responsibility for the provision of information is a matter for the Courts Service. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that, under the current legislative provisions, a total of 75 tipstaff are employed by the Courts Service in the grades of Usher and Crier. Ushers report to judges of the Supreme and High Courts. Criers report to judges of the Circuit Court.

The applicable weekly pay scales are set out in the following table.

Bonuses are not payable. If extra attendance is required overtime is paid subject to a maximum of an additional 23 hours per week.

I am informed that judges recruit their own usher or crier and notify the Courts Service which carries out any administrative functions with regard to the appointment. There are no specific qualifications required for appointment as usher or crier who provide such services as are required by the Judge to whom he/she reports. Their duties may include providing a measure of personal security for the Judge, providing assistance in the courtroom, for example, by copying legal material for the Judge or summoning a member of An Garda Síochána if a person in court is found by the Judge to be in contempt of court or acting inappropriately.

The Deputy will no doubt be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has recently published the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011 which is currently before the House. The Bill provides inter alia for the repeal of the legislative provisions underpinning the appointment of ushers and criers for members of the judiciary. This means that when this legislation is enacted newly appointed judges will no longer be entitled to appoint an usher or crier. Judges will still require support staff and serving judges may continue to avail of the existing structures but the repeal will allow the Courts Service to develop over time, in consultation with the judiciary and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, a support structure that will be appropriate to the needs of the judiciary and the requirements of the modern courts system.