Vol. 563 No. 1
509 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the financial breakdown of the amount of goods and currency that has been seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau; the amount invested in community projects, particularly those with drug problems since the inception of the scheme; the communities and schemes which have directly benefited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7268/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, since its establishment in October 1996 until 31 December 2002, the Criminal Assets Bureau has obtained final restraint orders on assets to the value of almost €19 million. In the same period, taxes and interest demanded were of the order of approximately €69 million with more than €46 million collected. In addition, savings on social welfare payments amounted to more than €1.4 million.
The figures outlined are provisional pending the presentation by the Garda Commissioner of the bureau's report on its activities for 2002. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the Garda Commissioner presents a report annually to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform not later than six months after the end of each year. The reports to date have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and are available in the Oireachtas library.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, provides for the disposal of property by the courts for the benefit of the Exchequer where a final restraint, or interlocutory, order has been in force for not less than seven years. Therefore, the issue of such disposal orders has not arisen to date. Moneys obtained by the bureau as a result of actions taken under the Revenue Acts are remitted to the Collector General forthwith.
The Government has committed, and continues to commit, significant resources towards the drugs initiative. Up to the end of last year, more than €62 million had already been allocated in implementing projects established via the local drug task forces. In addition, the Government has committed €130 million over the lifetime of the national development plan to the young peoples' facilities and services fund which also targets areas of disadvantage with greater risk of drug misuse among young people. This fund was established in 1998 and approximately €68 million has already been allocated to support more than 350 facility and service projects within these targeted areas.
Question No. 510 answered with Question No. 503.
