David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of District and Circuit Court judges who 'have retired in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of newly appointed judges in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39507/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On foot of the recommendations of the Judicial Planning Working Group, which I established in 2021 to consider the number and type of judges required to ensure the efficient administration of Justice over the next five years and with a view to the medium to long term, the Government committed to a historic increase in the number of judges.

A first tranche of 24 additional judges was approved and subsequently appointed by Government in 2023, comprising 8 additional District Court, 8 additional Circuit Court, 6 additional High Court and 2 additional Court of Appeal judges.

In relation to the number of District and Circuit Court judges that have retired as well as those that have been newly appointed over the period 2022, 2023, and 2024 to date, I can confirm that over this time period, 20 judges have retired, and 38 judges have been appointed to the District and Circuit Courts.

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, a breakdown by year has been provided below.

There are currently no vacancies in the Circuit Court and three vacancies in the District Court, with work underway to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.