Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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538. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of judicial vacancies. [15133/25]

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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539. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he anticipates the work of the Judicial Appointment Commission to commence. [15134/25]

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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540. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the website for the Judicial Appointments Commission will become operational. [15135/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 538, 539 and 540 together.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity.

On 1 January 2025, the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2023 came into operation in its entirety. The Act establishes a new, independent Judicial Appointments Commission to select and recommend persons for all judicial offices in Ireland and in the EU and international courts. This Act provides for the biggest reform in the way judges are chosen for appointment in a quarter of a century, including a requirement that all candidates be interviewed and will be required to show they have undertaken judicial training, or continuous professional development.

On 13 March 2025, the Judicial Appointments Commission announced its first competition to identify candidates for recommendation to the Office of Judge of the District Court. There are three current vacancies and four reasonably anticipated vacancies that are due to arise during 2025.

I have been advised that the current number of judicial vacancies is six and is broken down as follows: one Supreme Court, one High Court, one Circuit Court and three District Court

The JAC website is fully operational and can be found at www.judicialappointments.ie