Vol. 530 No. 3
255 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the importance of promoting an enlightened, critical and informed debate on penal policy he will respond positively to the application for funding from his Department for the Irish Penal Reform Trust; and, if so, if he will give the complete amount of funding requested. [4036/01]
My Department has provided funding in the recent past for this organisation. The Deputy can be assured, therefore, that I support the principle of promoting an enlightened debate on penal policy. My Department has requested further details from the Irish Penal Reform Trust in relation to its current application for funding. It is a requirement of both the Department of Finance and the Comptroller and Auditor General that all moneys expended by Departments be subject to strict financial control procedures. In order to comply with these procedures, it is necessary to obtain additional information concerning its request from the Irish Penal Reform Trust. Once the trust has supplied my Department with the requested details I will be better placed to make a decision on the requested grant of funds to them.
