Bankruptcies rocketed by almost 570% in 2014, with 448 people being declared bankrupt.
However figures from the Courts Service Annual Report show the numbers of debt cases at every level of the courts fell significantly last year.
They were down 27% in the High Court, 43% in the Circuit Court and 41% in the District Court.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says the government is working to help people who find themselves in arrears.
Meanwhile, a new information service for people with financial difficulties is being tested in a few courthouses across the country.
Experts from MABS, the Citizen Information Bureau and the Irish Insolvency Service will be on hand to explain the process and offer advice.
The latest figures show a decrease in the number of personal debt cases coming before the courts.
But Helen Priestley from the Courts Service says it is still important for people to know where to turn if they find themselves in trouble.
Other highlights from the report include:
- Large decreases in drink driving: 8,477 orders in respect of drink driving offences in the District Court - a 25% decrease on 2013, and a 33% decrease on 2012
- Road Traffic still features strongly in courts: 62% of orders in the District Court continue to relate to road traffic offences.
- 15% decrease in less serious drugs offences: 11,877 orders in respect of drugs offences in the District Court.
- Public order offences drop by a quarter: 30,194 orders in respect of public order offences in the District Court - a 26% decrease on 2013.
- Fraud and theft dominate Circuit Courts: 42% of offences in Circuit Court relate to fraud/theft/robbery
- One-tenth drop in very serious criminal cases: 114 defendants before Central Criminal Court - a 9% decrease on 2013. Murder convictions in respect of 21 offences. Rape convictions in respect of 125 offences.
- One-quarter drop in Criminal Appeals: 206 appeals lodged in the then Court of Criminal Appeal - a 26% decrease on 2013 and a 40% decrease on 2012
