Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 2 April 2025, to report on the retention of the court service at Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24844/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business are matters for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions.

However, my officials have made enquiries of the Courts Service and the following sets out the position in relation to this question.

In November 2022, the work of Youghal Court Office was transferred to two court offices in Cork city. All criminal matters are now managed by the court office in Anglesea Street and all family and civil matters by the court office in Washington Street.

I have been informed by the Courts Service that the District Judge assigned to District 21 covering east Cork, south Tipperary and west Waterford, wrote to the Head of Circuit and District Court Operations in March indicating plans to transfer District Court sittings from Youghal to Dungarvan and from Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel.

The directions for the transfer issued pursuant to Section 27 (3) of the Courts of Justice Act 1953 and Order 2, Rule 1 (2) of the District Court Rules with effect from 1st November 2025. Additionally, with effect from 1 June 2025 there will be an additional sitting in District 21 on the second Friday of each month where cases from Youghal will be heard in Dungarvan. It is planned that this additional sitting will be for child and family law matters. Details of these changes are set out in Statutory Instrument Number 77 of 2025, can be found on the Courts Service website at: www.courts.ie/content/counties-cork-tipperary-and-waterford

The Courts Service is currently engaging with the various stakeholders including solicitors, An Garda Síochána and unions representing court staff and others to explore any possible impacts and unintended consequences of the proposed transfers. Upon completion of this work the Courts Service will report on its findings to the relevant District Judge and make operational plans accordingly.