Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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358. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there is scope for the appointment of more County Registrars following the reduction in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29058/13]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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389. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there is scope for the appointment of more County Registrars following the reduction in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29059/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 389 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, eligibility for the new judgeships was initially confined to serving County Registrars in order to avoid expenditure on additional judicial salaries and pensions. The appointment of six County Registrars as specialist judges will create the necessary ring fenced judicial capacity for personal insolvency applications without imposing an unnecessary additional burden on the Exchequer.

The Deputy may also be aware that in 2009 the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended a reduction in the number of County Registrars from 26 to 15. Since then three registrars have retired and have not been replaced. It is intended the number will now reduce further, to a total of 17, following the appointment of six Specialist Judges who have recently been nominated by the Government.

In 2009 a Working Group, the membership of which included a number of Registrars, found that with the reorganisation of management responsibilities, there was sufficient capacity and expertise to take on a range of additional functions with a view to speedier and more efficient administration of court business. In this context it should be noted that the Service has put in place a series of work force planning measures over the last three years including the creation of multi-jurisdictional combined court offices under the management of a Chief Clerk. This has created increased capacity for County Registrars and the Government very much appreciates the cooperation of these office holders in taking on additional functions, including acting as Vice Chairs of Employment Appeal Tribunals. The Courts Service and my Department are currently considering the distribution of the work in consultation with the serving County Registrars.