Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 15 May 2025, to provide an update on the operation of the court service at Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36648/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, 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.

As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I cannot comment on the logistical or operational matters of the courts. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made enquiries of the Courts Service regarding an update on District Court sittings in Carrick-on-Suir and Cashel.

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.

The Courts Service has engaged 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. The consultation process has now been completed and the Courts Service will report on its findings to the relevant District Judge and make operational plans accordingly. The report is in the process of being compiled.

Additionally, with effect from 1 June 2025 (under Statutory Instrument Number 77 of 2025) there will be four additional scheduled sittings in District 21, including an additional sitting on the second Friday of each month where cases from Youghal and Dungarvan will be heard in Dungarvan. It is planned that this additional sitting will be for child and family law matters. Details of the additional sittings (among others) are set out in Statutory Instrument Number 77 of 2025, and can be found on the Courts Service website at: www.courts.ie/content/counties-cork-tipperary-and-waterford