Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will introduce a payment for loss of earnings, childcare and others costs for those undertaking jury service, due to the impact on jurors of the failure to cover the costs incurred by jury service, given the highlighted impacts on jurors in reports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12802/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Jury service is one of the most important civic duties that an individual can be asked to perform, and it exists to protect an individual's rights and to involve the public in the administration of justice.

Information for potential jurors on jury duty is posted with jury summonses and potential jurors are advised that more detailed information can be found on the Courts Service website. No expenses are paid to people called for jury duty, but lunch and refreshments are provided for those who ultimately serve on a jury.

While there are no plans to introduce payments along the lines referred to by the Deputy, the information provided by the Courts Service includes information regarding expenses and explains that employers must continue to pay an employee while they are engaged in jury duty.

Section 9 of the Juries Act 1976 outlines that a County Registrar may excuse a person summoned from attendance if the person shows to the registrar’s satisfaction that there is good reason why they should be so excused. Self-employed persons, full-time carers and persons with serious illnesses, among others, can seek to be excused by the County Registrar. The Courts Service website provides information on how to apply which I note can now be done online.

I also welcome the significant improvements to the jury experience in recent years. This includes the introduction of a digitalised jury summons and response process via an online jury portal, which is also an accessible and easy way for jurors to learn about the trial process and what to expect. The Courts Service has also invested in the provision of improved jury facilities in modernised courthouses across the country, which take into account privacy, security as well as refreshment needs for jurors.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of jury service, which is informed by research on the topic including the Law Reform Commission’s valuable Report on Jury Service, as well as submissions made by stakeholders including the Bar Council and Law Society, and legislative and policy developments in related areas over the past number of years.