Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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196. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if travel expenses for jurors will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19038/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Jury Service in Ireland is given its legislative position under the Juries Act 1976. Section 29 of the Act provides that when an employee or apprentice who is absent from his or her place of work in order to comply with a jury summons, this absence is to be treated as if the person was at work. The Act makes no provision in relation to travel expenses.

The Law Reform Commission’s 2013 Report on Jury Service [LRC 107 – 2013] contains 56 recommendations and covers a broad range of issues relating to jury service such as eligibility for jury service, the categories of persons excusable as of right, the circumstances surrounding disqualifications from jury service as well as juror compensation and expenses.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a Working Group has recently been formed to examine the findings of the Report on Jury Service including its recommendations in respect of juror compensation and expenses and the draft Bill provided with that Report.