asked the Minister for Justice if he will meet a deputation from the Council for the Status of Women, accompanied by a delegation representing prostitutes, to discuss changes in the law governing prostitution.
Written Answers. - Prostitution Law.
352.
I have not received any request from the Council for the Status of Women for a meeting to discuss changes in the law in relation to prostitution.
353.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of women charged with the offence of soliciting in each of the last ten years.
Statistics relating to prosecutions for the offence of soliciting are compiled on the basis of the numbers of offences where proceedings are taken, and not on the basis of the numbers of persons charged. Moreover, such statistics as are available in Garda Headquarters refer only to the period from 1974 onwards. Prior to that, statistics relating to offences of soliciting, and so on, were not maintained separately but were included, along with other offences, under the heading of breaches of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Acts. The numbers of prosecutions for soliciting during each of the past five years were: 1974*, 70; 1975, 79; 1976, 273; 1977, 475; 1978, 207.
* The figure for 1974 is in respect of the 12-month period ending 30 September 1974. The figures for each of the other years are in respect of the calendar years.