Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together.

I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that the courts are resourced to administer justice equitably, efficiently and effectively.

Furthermore, I am committed to driving the modernisation and Digital First agenda across the entire Justice Sector.

These commitments are reflected in Budget 2024, as €183 million was allocated for the Courts vote, including capital funding of €67 million. This builds on significant investment in recent years, with a total allocation of €176.5 million in 2023, and €163.9 million in 2022.

Through the Justice Plan, I am progressing a suite of policy and legislative reforms which will enhance and drive efficiencies across our judicial system, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

I established the Judicial Planning Working Group, which reported to Government in February 2023. It considered the number and type of judges required to ensure the efficient administration of Justice over the next five years in the first instance, but also with a view to the medium to long term.

In total, the report recommended that 44 additional Judges be appointed in two phases. The first phase of 24 additional judges has already been approved earlier this year, and as of December 5th, all 24 extra judges have been appointed.

A new Planning and Environment Division of the High Court has been established, with a ceremonial first sitting on 11 December 2023. This is in line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government and the Housing for All strategy. Urgent cases such as proceedings which concern large-scale projects of strategic importance, or matters of significant environmental impact, will be given priority.

The Courts Service is currently almost in year four of its Modernisation Programme which is the 10-year programme which will deliver a new operating model for the Courts Service – designed around the user, with simplified and standardised services and accessible data to inform decisions – all delivered through digital solutions.

I particularly welcome the commitment set out by the Courts Service in its Corporate Strategic Plan 2021 – 2023, to maximise the use of digital technologies to provide an improved and user-centred service.

An eProbate project has been identified as part of the civil law modernisation workstream of this programme, and a budget allocated to the Courts Service to facilitate the delivery of the project.

The Family Justice Strategy marked its first full year of implementation in 2023. Notable achievements under the Strategy include the completion of the Policy Review on Parental Alienation and the development of a new, plain English family law information hub by the Courts Service.

The Family Courts Bill 2022 which was published at the end of last year is currently being considered by the Oireachtas. The Bill has competed second stage in Seanad Éireann.

The Bill provides for the establishment of a family court as divisions within the existing court structures, by providing for a Family High Court, Family Circuit Court and Family District Court, with each division dealing with family law matters appropriate to its jurisdiction.

The Family Justice Strategy and Family Courts Bill place a particular focus and priority on the provision of judicial resources in the area of family law. This includes provision for the assignment of full-time family court judges, including the assignment of a Principal Judge, to each of the family court divisions.

The ongoing work of the Civil Legal Aid Review Group, which is reviewing the current operation of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, including how flexible and responsive the Scheme is to the needs of those it is intended to serve. While the work of the Group is ongoing, it has completed a series of consultation processes to inform its detailed deliberations.

My Department is also conducting an examination of the manner in which our jury system operates. Following completion of the review, I will ensure that any necessary legislative or administrative changes are introduced.