Statement from Minister Naomi Long

Date published: 31 July 2026

I will also continue to advocate for additional funding to ensure we have a Justice sector that is funded appropriately now and in future years, which is currently not the case.  

Whilst there has been some modest increase in the DoJ budget over the last three years, it does not in any way address the historic levels of under-funding. This lack of investment has hindered the progress of reform and transformation, impacting on my department’s ability to maximise the benefits and opportunities for efficiencies to ensure a sustainable justice system. 

Allocations in the proposed Draft Budget do nothing to reduce that historic funding gap and this will continue to impact on a range of areas such as policing, prisons, legal aid, courts and probation. 

There is very limited further action that my department can take in terms of savings measures.  Our proportional budget strength has declined while demand on the justice system has risen starkly, meaning that we have continually had to make efficiencies each year. My department has now reached the point where all reasonable options have been exhausted.

If the draft budget is implemented, without additional funding being provided to meet our inescapable pressures, this will result in a further and unacceptable slowing down of the justice system, compromising its ability to preserve life, protect the public and keep people safe.