Review group’s examination of role of debt-collector sheriffs due in third quarter

The review aims to establish if the role is currently in line with best international practice. Photo: Laura Hutton

Samantha McCaughren

A review of the role of sheriffs – a key part of the State’s debt-enforcement system – is expected to be concluded in the third quarter of the year.

Submissions have already been made by a number of parties including The Council of The Bar of Ireland, which noted that sheriff law had not seen any significant reform for 95 years.

The Review Group is independently chaired by former secretary general of the Department of Justice Noel Waters and comprises representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Courts Service, the Departments of Justice, Housing and Finance, as well as a representative from the Insolvency Service of Ireland.

The group is examining the future role of sheriffs, with a view to establishing if the role is currently in line with best international practice, or if there is a more efficient and cost-effective system of debt collection.

The review will examine the nature and volume of work available to sheriffs both now, and into the future.

Revenue referred nearly 9,000 businesses to the sheriffs for unpaid taxes in January and February as officials resumed standard debt-collection practices after pausing during the pandemic.