Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
275. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated amount it would cost in 2019 if the budget for the Criminal Assets Bureau increased by 12.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53271/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Government is committed under the Programme for a Partnership Government to ensuring that adequate resources are provided to support the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in tackling money laundering and targeting the proceeds of crime.
The CAB's financial allocation for 2018 was €7.948 million. This represents an increase of €0.363 million on its 2017 allocation. CAB's financial allocation for 2019 is to be increased by a further €0.7 million, bringing its total allocation for 2019 to €8.648 million or an 8.8% increase on 2018. The increase in the CAB's financial allocation in recent years is mainly due to the extra costs arising from additional staff resources. A 12.5% increase in the CAB's allocation in 2018 would cost €0.993 million and would provide the Bureau with an allocation of €8.941million.
During 2017, the Bureau returned in excess of €4.3 million to the Exchequer, including €1.698 million returned under Proceeds of Crime legislation; €2.374 million collected under Revenue legislation; and €0.319 million recovered in Social Welfare overpayments. In addition, the Bureau brought 28 new proceeds of crime proceedings before the High Court. This is the largest number of new cases ever commenced by the Bureau in a single year. Furthermore, the value of taxes and interest demanded during the year was €14 million and social welfare savings amounted to €0.47 million.
