Dáil debates

Tuesday, 10 July 2018

3:25 pm

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the context of judicial reform, under the programme for Government, the poor box is being used with great ingenuity by many justices throughout the country. I understand that the Minister is going to disband this service. To name one charity, the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation receives approximately €50,000 per annum from the poor box in respect of the valuable work it does. Many citizens who are before the courts and who are requested to pay sums of money to charity do not get convictions. It is a good process that has served the State well and has been used wisely by most justices. If the Government does away with the poor box, the money will just go into central funds and the charities will lose out. In the case of the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, it will be sick children who lose out. Is the Government doing away with the poor box in the courts and, if so, when will that happen?

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