Court services at ‘tipping point’ following cutbacks

Vital court services are at a tipping point after years of “very severe reductions in funding and staff” and need immediate investment to ensure the safety of existing services and fresh value for money plans.

Senior court officials revealed the situation at the latest Dáil public accounts committee meeting yesterday. Speaking at the high-profile hearing, courts service chief executive Brendan Ryan said despite the sector being to the fore of saving drives over the past six years, it is now time for new funding efforts to be made.

While he said the system understands the ongoing need for value for money, courts have been cut as far as possible. Since the recession began, Mr Ryan said court budgets have fallen from €99m in 2008 to €58m, a 41% cut, with a 16% reduction in staff numbers also taking place, “double the civil service average”.