Ivor Callely
Question:128 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the success and progress of the Criminal Assets Bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/02]
Written Answers. - Criminal Assets Bureau.
The Criminal Assets Bureau was established as a statutory agency in 1996. It is a body with staff drawn from the Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The bureau also has the support of technical and administrative personnel and the services of a legal officer.
The statutory remit of the bureau involves confiscating, freezing or seizing assets which, in the opinion of the courts, derive or are suspected to derive from serious criminal activity. It also involves ensuring that criminal proceeds are subjected to tax and that claims for social welfare benefits and assistance by criminals are subject to scrutiny.
Since its inception, the bureau has had significant successes in meeting its objectives. Freezing orders with a view to seizing criminal assets have been secured with a combined total value in excess of €19 million. Taxes and interest demanded are in excess of €47 million. In addition, social welfare over-payments assessed, and savings projected, are over €2 million.
The bureau presents annually a report on its activities, the most recent report being in respect of the year 2000. The reports to date, which cover in some detail the activities of the bureau, have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
I am satisfied that the bureau has fully demonstrated the benefits of a multi-agency approach in identifying the proceeds of serious crime and in taking all the necessary actions to deprive those engaged in criminal activity of the material benefits.