Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The final report of the Judicial Planning Working Group, which was established to consider the number of, and type of, judges required to ensure the efficient administration of justice over the next five years, was published on 27 February 2023. Officials in the Department of Justice have established an implementation group to oversee the delivery of the recommendations outlined by the JPWG.

The report estimated the costs of the additional 24 judges and the support staff required as recommended in the first tranche as being €18 million in a full year. I should note that Judges salaries are paid from the Central Fund and support staff will be paid by the Courts Service. There will also be costs in relation to implementing the other recommendations in the report and these have yet to be quantified. The Minster for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be consulted before any significant expenditure is incurred.