Vol. 575 No. 1
210 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his Department's priorities for the coming years in the context of the Estimates for 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the huge interest in these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27941/03]
The Deputy will understand the wide-ranging scope of my Department's activities, all of which are important and require substantial resources. Looking at these activities globally, I am pleased to say that the net provision across my Department's group of Votes has increased from €1.731 billion in 2003 to €1.836 billion in 2004, representing an increase of 6.1%.
One of my key priorities in 2004 will be to continue the drive against crime with a particular focus on organised crime. In order to achieve this objective I have secured substantial additional funding for the Garda Síochána amounting to an increase of €91 million. Included in this figure is an increase of almost €7 million for Garda overtime that will be used to fund specific anti-crime operations. I have also secured additional funding of almost €7.5 million in the Garda Vote to deal with security operations arising out of the Government's hosting of the EU Presidency in 2004.
The allocation for the Prisons Vote in 2004 is €345.6 million which is €8.3 million up on 2003 with the Prison Service getting €305.7 million and the Probation and Welfare Service getting €39.8 million. I want to eliminate the burden of excessive expenditure on overtime through the introduction of a system of annualised hours. If agreement cannot be reached with the Prison Officers' Association on annualised hours the Government has decided that specific cost saving measures will be introduced on a phased basis on 1 January 2004. I shall also increase the number of probation and welfare officers to address the demands placed on the service by the Children Act 2001. Under this Act community based options with supervision by such officers are available to the courts.
