John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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516. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions that were struck out by District Court district in 2015 and 2016. [54626/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, 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, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has provided information in the following table on the number of offences disposed of and strike outs by District Court district in 2015 and 2016 which relates to all prosecutions.

The figures provided by the Courts Service indicate that a certain percentage of cases are struck out for non-service. Challenges in relation to effecting service of summons in certain circumstances relate to such matters as inaccurate address data, persons moving address, or living in multi-occupancy dwellings or other settings which make service difficult. In addition, certain persons will take steps to evade service and similar difficulties are experienced by many other police forces. It should be noted that where a summons is struck out, An Garda Síochána may apply to the appropriate court office for the reissue of the summons. 

Report on number of offences disposed of and strike outs by District Court District in 2015 and 2016:

Note: Any change to the figures in the Annual Report of the total number of strike outs in the District Court in 2015-2016, excluding strike outs not served, relate to changes in the status of cases since the figures in the Annual Report was completed.