Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his Department’s plans for the further recruitment of judges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54033/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister, it is my priority to ensure that the courts are adequately resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively.

In 2023, the Government approved and appointed an additional 24 judges as proposed by the Judicial Planning Working Group. Following an impact assessment of these appointments, Government approval was secured to increase judicial numbers by a further 20 judges in order to meet the growing demands on the justice system and to further reduce long waiting times across the courts. This second tranche of judicial appointments will involve two additional judges for the Court of Appeal and six each for the High, Circuit and District Courts.

Last month, I received Government approval to amend the legislation to increase the number of judges and on 30 September the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration waived Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of Bill.

This is the second tranche of additional judges as recommended by the Judicial Planning Working Group. Taken together, these two sets of appointments represent an increase of approximately 25% in the number of Judges in Ireland.