Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Estimate for prison consultancy services for 2012 was €140,000. Actual expenditure in 2012 was only €29,000. An Estimate of €100,000 is provided for 2013, which is €40,000 less than that provided in 2012. However, that does not mean €100,000 will be spent in 2013. The full estimate for 2012 was not spent as it was not necessary to do so.

In regard to consultancy services for the Property Registration Authority, an Estimate of €25,000 was provided in 2012. However, expenditure was only €11,000. The Estimate for 2013 is €25,000. At the start of the year, one must provide for possible expenditures. In October 2012, because matters across the broad range of the justice family had been dealt with in a cost-effective manner, a €3 million saving by year end was identified. This is from where the €3 million came for the purchase of additional Garda vehicles, over and above the €1 million allocation made at the start of the year. It is necessary to reflect possible expenditures in the Estimates. However, as the Deputy will note, expenditure last year by the Property Registration Authority was less than half the amount provided.