Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of judicial pay in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39857/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The total cost of judicial pay in 2010 and 2011 is set out below.

In line with the favorable outcome of the referendum on the Twenty Ninth Amendment of the Constitution, which concerned judicial remuneration, legislation was enacted in 2011 to provide for the application of the two Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009 to both serving and new members of the Judiciary and military judges on the same basis as other public servants. This has resulted in reductions in remuneration for serving judges ranging from 23% to 16%.

In addition, for newly appointed judges, revised salary rates have been implemented to reflect the 10% reduction applied at the beginning of 2011 to new public servants appointed to the public service entry grades. These provisions effect reductions in remuneration for new appointees to the judiciary ranging from 31% to 25%. These measures came into effect on the 1st January 2012, and it is estimated that the total cost of judicial pay in 2012 will be €23.1 million.