Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Arrests for Begging.

Tony Gregory

Question:

263 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons cautioned or arrested for begging in the Store Street and Pearse Street Garda districts in Dublin in 1997; the amount of money recovered from these persons in 1997; and the use to which the money was put. [2993/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the numbers of persons cautioned or arrested for begging in the Store Street and Pearse Street districts for 1997 is as follows:

	Arrested	Cautioned
Store Street District	73*	50*
Pearse Street District	108*	168*

*All figures are provisional.

I am also informed that a sum of £99.39 was seized in Store Street district and that an amount of £26.19 was seized in Pearse Street district. I understand from the Garda that the disposal of money in cases such as these is a matter for the courts.