Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

322. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Circuit Family Court, which was due to sit in Clonmel, County Tipperary, from 3 to 6 July 2018, inclusive, had no judge available, which resulted in the cases due to heard adjourned until October 2018 with resulting damage to children and families due to the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30757/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. Furthermore, the scheduling of Circuit Court cases and the allocation of court business are matters for the President of the Circuit Court and the presiding judge who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that there are currently a number of Circuit Court judges unavailable for sittings due to illness and therefore there was not enough judges to deal with all of the courts that had been scheduled. It should be noted that currently there are no vacancies in the Circuit Court.

The Courts Service has informed me that every effort is made to keep the number of cancelled sittings to a minimum and that family law cases are prioritised after criminal hearings. The Courts Service has further advised that the matter will be kept under ongoing review and that every effort will continue to be made to support court sittings.