Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of running the District Court system from 2005 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35848/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available. As the Courts Service supports the operation of the Courts system across all jurisdictions, I am advised that it is not possible for the Courts Service to accurately assess the percentage of the overall expenditure which relates directly to the District Court system.

The Courts Service has informed me that the total gross expenditure in relation to the Courts in 2015 was €107.3 million. Furthermore, the overall budget allocation in relation to the Courts for 2016 is €112.2 million. The Courts Service has also provided the non pay budget allocation for Circuit and District Operations in 2016 to support both Circuit and District Courts, which is €13.8 million. The allocation provides for costs associated with the day to day operations of the courts and includes:

- courthouse maintenance

- utility costs

- interpretation

- court recordings ( digital audio recordings DAR) and

- general premises expenses.

The allocation excludes costs associated with IT, courthouse capital, leases and payroll costs.