Vol. 452 No. 7
46 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the amount of court fines which have been imposed by judges to be paid into charity boxes in court for the past five years; the controls, if, any, there are on the use of these funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8051/95]
All fines are paid into the Exchequer unless their disposal is otherwise provided for by law. I am aware, however, that for very many years, pre-dating the foundation of the State, individual judges, from time to time, have ordered that contributions be paid into the "Court Poor Box" or be paid directly to a named charity rather than a defendant being convicted and fined in the usual way. Where such contributions are paid through the court they are receipted in the normal way and lodged to the general cash account of the relevant court office. The money is then paid out to various charities following directions given by the judge.
Separate records of moneys paid in this fashion are not maintained. However, in 1990 a survey for the calendar year 1989 showed that the contributions to the "Court Poor Box" in eleven district court offices ranged from £31,553 in the office with the highest amount to just over £1,000 in a number of these eleven offices. Other offices had amounts ranging from £50 to £800. Thirteen offices did not operate a "Court Poor Box" at that time. I will be reviewing the position in consultation with the Attorney General.
