Question:
287 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the basis used by the courts in the operation of the poor box system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/99]
Written Answers - Court Poor Box System.
Question:
289 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to reform the poor box system operated by the District Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3514/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 289 together.
The operation of the court poor box system has been in place for many years and, in fact, it predates the foundation of the State. It is not a practice specifically regulated for in legislation.
Individual judges, from time to time, order that contributions be paid in the poor box or directly to a named charity rather than convicting and fin ing a defendant in the usual way. The funds are paid out to charities at the direction of the judge.
The operation of this practice has been a cause of concern to me and I have formally requested the Attorney General's advice in the matter. This advice has now been received and is being fully reviewed by my Department. Any proposals which I may have, following the review, will be brought before the Government in the usual way.
Question:
288 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amounts of money given to each District Court poor box for 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/99]
The statistics requested by the Deputy are laid out in the following table.
|
District Court Office |
Poor Box Receipts 1998 |
|
£ |
|
|
Athlone |
15,476.00 |
|
Ballina |
580.00 |
|
Ballinasloe |
8,725.00 |
|
Bandon |
1,603.00 |
|
Bray |
2,530.00 |
|
Carlow |
55,564.00 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
1,050.00 |
|
Castlebar |
1,370.00 |
|
Cavan |
Nil |
|
Clonmel |
5,275.00 |
|
Cork |
2,030.00 |
|
Derrynea |
Nil |
|
Donegal |
Nil |
|
Drogheda |
1,504.99 |
|
Dublin Metropolitan |
69,020.82 |
|
Dundalk |
2,139.26 |
|
Dún Laoghaire |
9,275.64 |
|
Ennis |
Nil |
|
Fermoy |
Nil(Payments are madeto Youghal Office) |
|
Galway |
100.00 |
|
Gorey |
7,730.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
5,275.05 |
|
Killarney |
555.00 |
|
Letterkenny |
Nil |
|
Limerick |
16,387.00 |
|
Listowel |
118.50 |
|
Longford |
6,360.00 |
|
Loughrea |
3,170.00 |
|
Mallow |
Nil |
|
Monaghan |
3,287.26 |
|
Mullingar |
8,504.58 |
|
Naas |
200.00 |
|
Nenagh |
14,420.65 |
|
Portlaoise |
73,176.75 |
|
Roscommon |
5,185 |
|
Sligo |
13,365.34 |
|
Swords |
2,000.52 |
|
Thurles |
14,760.00 |
|
Tralee |
Nil |
|
Trim |
Nil |
|
Tuam |
50.00 |
|
Tullamore |
11,125.32 |
|
Waterford |
6,005.00 |
|
Wexford |
4,565.00 |
|
Youghal |
3,020.00 |
|
Total |
375,504.68 |