Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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288. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on the wards of court has not received a response in view of the urgent need for action outlined therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30080/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in Wards of Court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.

The report published on 22 February 2018 by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on the Wards of Court provided 6 recommendations relating to the Wards of Courts and these recommendations are being addressed by my Department and the Courts Service.

Correspondence from the Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality was received on 5 July 2018 which is receiving attention and a reply will be issued shortly.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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289. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) has not received a response; and the further reason a request by it for a meeting has not been agreed to. [30081/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in Wards of Court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Given the High Court jurisdiction, it is not appropriate for me, as the Minister, to intervene in relation to this matter. 

I would like to inform the Deputy that the issues raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy required thorough examination as well as consultation with the Courts Service. A detailed reply has been prepared to the organisation and will be issued in the next few days.