Vol. 478 No. 5
113 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the level of resources made available to probation and welfare services over the past five years; and the percentage that level represents of the total budget for prisons over the same period. [11649/97]
The amounts provided by the Exchequer for probation and welfare services (subheads E and F of the Prisons Vote) over the past five years are as follows:
|
Year |
Amount provided (£000) |
As % of total budget for prisons |
|
% |
||
|
1992 |
8,728 |
9.46 |
|
1993 |
8,760 |
0.04 |
|
1994 |
10,910 |
9.96 |
|
1995 |
12,016 |
10.67 |
|
1996 |
11,006 |
8.94 |
114 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, she will take to put in place a witness protection programme in view of the recent public allegations of intimidation of witnesses in the Guerin murder inquiry. [11651/97]
As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 228 on 15 October 1996, the Garda authorities already have arrangements in place whereby Garda protection can be afforded as necessary to any witness and, if appropriate, members of a witness' family before, during and after giving evidence in court. The Garda authorities inform me that where Garda protection is provided, it is tailored to the needs of the individual witness, following an evaluation of all relevant intelligence.
