More than €500k paid in mileage claims to judges

MORE than €500,000 was paid in mileage claims last year to district and circuit court judges to travel from home to court hearings.

The Department of Justice confirmed proposals to cut pay for the judiciary will not affect the expense entitlements, which include up to €9,000 a year to provide libraries in their homes and a €36 a night “sitting room allowance” in case they need to “work in accommodation after court”.

Figures provided to the Dáil show at least four judges made mileage claims in excess of €30,000, with the highest reaching €37,000 last year.