Michael Ring
Ceist:281 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, with limited means on social welfare, can pay her fine of £250 by an instalment arrangement. [3435/99]
Written Answers - Payment of Fines.
Michael Ring
Ceist:282 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will allow persons of limited means on social welfare payments the option of paying fines by instalments. [3436/99]
Michael Ring
Ceist:283 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if persons of limited means on social welfare payments, who cannot possibly pay any fines levied through the courts in one bulk payment, will be allowed time to pay through an instalment system. [3437/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 to 283, inclusive, together.
The position is that at present neither District Court Offices nor the Garda may accept payment of fines imposed in criminal cases by instalment as the current law provides for payment in full of court fines by the due date.
However, the question of the payment of fines by instalment is one of the issues that arises for consideration in the context of the proposed legislation on attachment of earnings for the non-payment of fines.
I should also mention that arrangements are in place under which a defendant may request a court to allow an extension of time in which to pay a penalty.