asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure that the proceeds, or a substantial proportion of the proceeds, of stolen goods, which are subsequently unclaimed by their owners, be allocated to assist in the funding of the national organisation representing the victims of crime; the representations already made by that association to him in this connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Funding for Victims of Crime.
15.
I have had representations from the Irish Association for Victim Support about the question of allocating to the Association the proceeds of the sale by the Garda Síochána of unclaimed stolen and lost property which comes into Garda possession.
As I indicated in reply to Question No. 63 on 13 May 1987, I fully commend the work of the Irish Association of Victim Support in providing, on a voluntary basis, a variety of support services for the victims of crime. Unfortunately, the position is that there is no scope in present circumstances for increased funding of the Association by my Department in the way referred to in the Question or otherwise. The IAVS received a grant of £8,000 from my Department in 1987 and a similar provision has been made in the Estimates for 1988. This provision is regarded as appropriate in the light of the current difficult budgetary situation.