Department examining legality of Comptroller role in managing court funds

The Courts Service of Ireland is presently responsible for the management of funds held on behalf of wards of court - people deemed by the courts to be unable to manage their own affairs.

The Department is now consulting Attorney General Séamus Woulfe to find out whether it is constitutionally and legally permissible for the Comptroller to take on a role in management of thsee funds.

It follows criticism from groups like Justice For Wards, who believe funds were lost in the financial crisis due to poor investment decisions.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice told The Irish Times: “Nobody is saying that what was suggested cannot be done, but we cannot move forward until we get a definitive view from the Attorney General as to whether it is possible. We expect that very soon.”