Women judges claim half expenses of male counterparts

Women judges across all courts claimed on average half the expenses of their male counterparts between 2008 and 2013, according to recent figures.

Male judges' average expenses exceeded female judges' in every single one of the six years for which figures were supplied by the Courts Service, as well as in every court. And in almost all courts, the lowest claims made each year were by women, while the highest claims were made by men.

The names of judges were released along side their expenses for the first time late last year following a ruling in favour of The Irish Times by the Office of the Information Commissioner.

The release made it possible to examine expenses by gender. The data shows the average claim for each male judge across all four courts over six years was just below €11,675. The same figure for female judges was just over €5,880.

Across the six-year period, female judges of the Supreme Court claimed just over €900 each on average, while male judges claimed in excess of €2,330 each.

Male judges of the High Court claimed on average €4,330 each annually over the six-year period, while their female counterparts claimed just over €2,730.

At the Circuit Court, the difference was greater; male judges claimed an average of more than €20,500, while female judges claimed just over €9,706.

Female judges of the District Courts claimed more than €10,200 on average each, while male judges claimed just below €19,500.

All courts have shown a reduction in the cost of expenses claims since 2008, although in 2013, across all except the Circuit Court, expenses claims had increased on 2012.

In 2013, 40 female judges across all courts made expenses claims for travel, subsistence, judicial attire and incidental expenses, while 107 male judges made claims.

Following the introduction of the Court of Appeal this year, there are now 52 women judges and 108 men. There are also four vacancies.

The Courts Service has said the level of costs recouped by each judge is a direct reflection of the work, number of sittings and the locations he or she is required to attend.

Supreme Court judges normally sit in Dublin, while High Court judges regularly sit outside Dublin. The Circuit Courts and District Courts sit in venues across the State.