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Justice rise provides for 50 new courts staff

The Department of Justice has received a record allocation of €3.9 billion for next year in Budget 2025.

Current spending of €3.6 billion represents an increase of 6.4% compared with 2024, while the capital allocation rises by 13% to €310 million.

Paschal Donohoe (Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform) said that the figures included “a significant increase” in funding for the Irish Prison Service, with recruitment of up to 350 additional staff – 200 this year.

There will be a 23% increase in spending linked to prisoner care and rehabilitation, a 24% increase in operational services and supplies, and a 25% increase in educational services.

Extra gardaí

The Courts Service will receive almost €196 million, with €6 million going towards the employment of up to 50 additional staff to deliver services and advance its modernisation programme.

There are plans for 1,000 extra gardaí and up to 150 new garda civilian staff, while the garda overtime budget will increase by 13%.

The total garda allocation of almost €2.5 billion also includes investment in new equipment and technology.

Domestic violence

A “significant expansion” in the international-protection processing system will include an investment of €25 million and a total of 400 additional staff.

There will be an extra €7 million for organisations providing supports to victims of domestic and gender-based sexual violence.

The justice allocation also provides for the establishment of a number of new agencies in 2025 – including a gambling regulator, the office of the police ombudsman, the office of the independent examiner, and the national office of community safety.

The Data Protection Commission will receive €29.4 million – up from €27.9 million this year.