Courts and Legal Aid Board to receive funding boost

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald yesterday announced details of planned spending in the justice and equality sector next year, including the provision of an extra €89 million in current expenditure.

In total, €2.264 billion in current expenditure and €130 million in capital expenditure is being provided across the sector in 2016.

Ms Fitzgerald said it would “support important reforms and development across a range of agencies”.

The spending includes an additional €1.75 million for the Courts Service of Ireland, bringing its total budget to €109 million while facilitating additional recruitment and further scope in relation to non-pay costs.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “This increased allocation and additional staffing will support the delivery of an effective Courts system and will help in reducing court delays.

“This funding will also allow work to progress on the development of seven new courthouses, the refurbishment works of existing courthouses and will further support the development of a single case management system for all Court jurisdictions.”

The minister also announced an additional €1.6 million for the Legal Aid Board.

The extra funds will allow the Board to expand its workforce and make additional use of the Civil Court Practitioner Scheme to deal with applicants seeking legal services for either a judicial separation or a divorce due to budgetary constraints.

Additional staff will also be recruited to Forensic Science Ireland through an additional €1.3 million in funding, which is designed to strengthen its capacity to “meet the realities and demands of 21st century criminal investigations”.