Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 October 2005
336 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the charges that prevail under Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1994; the number of such charges in each of the past five years for which figures are available; the amount collected in each of those years; the specific sub-head where such funds are accounted for in Government estimates; and his plans to raise the charge. [28285/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 provides that where a person is convicted of a drink driving offence, the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not so doing, order that person to pay a prescribed amount to the court as a contribution to the costs and expenses of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. The prescribed amount, which was established in 1994 at £75, is €95.23.
Data in relation to the number of persons who were required to make the prescribed payment would be available from the Courts Service. Receipts for payments made under section 22 have been accredited to my Department's Vote, subhead F8, Miscellaneous Receipts, since 2003 and previously to the Vote of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
A separate entry for the receipts is not available for 2003. However, the total value of receipts in 2004 was €58,266 and the total to date in 2005 is €48,037. I am giving consideration to increasing the prescribed amount of this payment.
