Vol. 553 No. 5
345 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the exact amount of money collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau over the past five years; and if he will consider using this money for youth and elderly people projects on the north side of Dublin. [14464/02]
The Criminal Assets Bureau presents a report on its activities annually through the Garda Commissioner. The most recent report is in respect of the year 2000. The reports to date, which cover in some detail the activities of the bureau, have been laid before each House of the Oireachtas. I am informed that, in accordance with the statutory provisions, the report for the year 2001 will be presented shortly.
Since its inception in 1996, the bureau has had significant success in meeting its statutory objectives. The bureau enforces the Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996, which provides a statutory procedure of restraint whereby applications can be made to the High Court to have specified property made the subject of restraint orders, and eventually realised for the benefit of the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, up to the end of the year 2001, the bureau had obtained interim and "final" restraint orders to the value of more than €14 million and more than €11 million, respectively. In the same period, taxes and interest demanded were in excess of €56 million with more than €36 million collected. In addition, social welfare savings amount to more than €1.2 million.
