Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1658. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 9 April 2025, if he will outline the initial estimated cost and delivery timeframe of the unified case management system; the current estimated delivery timeframe; the current estimated total cost to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46404/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have sought an update on the rollout of the Unified Case Management System from the Courts Service.

The Unified Case Management System project started in May 2023 for the management of criminal work within courts. Its goal is to unify the existing disparate systems currently in use across the District, Circuit, Central Criminal, Special Criminal and Court of Appeal jurisdictions, by replacing these with a single modernised system.

Completion of development is expected in 2026, at which point the system will be deployed as part of a phased rollout across all jurisdictions. The rollout and associated supports are scheduled for 2026 in line with the initial projected timelines. However, there is a prospect for some jurisdiction rollouts to conclude in 2027.

The timeline will be determined by the experience of each jurisdiction rollout, with a priority placed on stability and integrity of the criminal justice system.

The project is driven by the Courts Service ICT, Digital and Data Strategy, which prioritises the creation of a Unified Case Management Platform and emphasises key themes such as Security, Resilience, and Data as an Enabler.

UCMS Crime will enhance operational efficiency, improve data security, and support informed decision-making through better collaboration and data utilisation.

The new system will fully align with the ICT, Digital and Data Strategy’s strategic themes, delivering a more integrated, streamlined, and modernised approach to case management across all jurisdictions.

Project Financials (inc. vat) and Timelines:

• Project commencement: 2023
• Initial Project projected rollout conclusion: 2026
• Initial Project Budget: €3,571,920
• Actual Cost to Date: €1,661,414
• Remaining Cost to Completion: €1,910,506
• Current Estimated Total Cost at Completion: €3,571,920
• Current Estimated Project rollout conclusion: 2026 (note there is potential for the project continuing into 2027 depending on the performance of rollouts during 2026)