Written answers
Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
Departmental Reviews
Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a review of the operation of county and city sheriffs' offices, including the need to put in place an independent mechanism to appeal decisions made by city and county sheriffs, has taken place; if the joint review group to examine the role of sheriffs has completed its report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46894/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners established a Joint Review Group to examine the role of Sheriffs, as currently constituted, in respect of State work.
The Review Group was independently chaired by a former Secretary General of this Department, and comprised of representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Courts Service, the Departments of Justice, Housing and Finance, as well as a representative from the Insolvency Service of Ireland.
The Review Group has examined the future role of Sheriffs, with a view to establishing if the nature of the role is currently in line with best international practice, or if there is a more efficient and cost effective system of debt collection. The review also considered the nature and volume of work carried out by Sheriffs.
An open consultation process was undertaken between 3 March 2023 and 24 March. Simultaneously, a targeted consultation process was held where key stakeholders were asked for their views.
The Terms of Reference and further information regarding the Group is available on Gov.ie at the following link: gov.ie - Sheriffs Review Group (www.gov.ie).
The Report of the Review Group is very nearly finalised and will be published in due course.
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