Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied with the level of oversight by her Department regarding the operation of the system of setting and auditing expenses of judges by the Courts Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36363/16]

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. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I had enquiries made and the Courts Service informed me that all claims for travel and subsistence by judges are validated by the Courts Service and paid in accordance with rates sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and are in compliance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations.

These regulations set out fixed rates payable to judges for mileage and subsistence where judges are required to travel in the performance of their official duties. Expenses claimed which are not covered by these fixed rates should be vouched, for example, expenses incurred in the use of public transport and car parking. All judicial travel and subsistence claims are checked and validated by the Courts Service prior to payment authorisation. This process ensures that claims comply with all relevant regulations and that the amounts claimed are correct.

The Courts Service have advised that the validation system ensures that the highest possible standards of accuracy and compliance with regulations are applied in the processing and payment of claims for judicial expenses. The Courts Service have further advised that travel and subsistence expenses claims are vouched, where required by regulations, and are subject to audit.