Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of heroin dealers targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau on a yearly basis over the past five years including those brought through the courts; and the moneys recovered for direct investment in communities affected. [21004/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the first part of his question. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when information concerning this matter is obtained by the Garda Authorities.

However, I can assure the House that the Gardaí continue to take a proactive and integrated approach to the investigation of all serious crime and the Criminal Assets Bureau continues, under its statutory remit to target assets, including property, known to have been acquired through criminal activity.

The Bureau continues to enjoy considerable success in depriving persons engaged in criminal activity of the proceeds of such activity. Funds generated through the activities of the Bureau are made available to the Department of Finance by way of contributions to the Central Fund.

A policy of ring-fencing monies obtained by the Exchequer and the reallocation of same for a specific purpose runs contrary to the normal Estimates process and could have far-reaching implications. The Constitution requires, and Government accounting principles provide, that public monies be spent only as voted or approved by Dáil Éireann unless otherwise provided by statute.

The so-called ear marking of Government revenues for specific expenditure purposes is generally avoided. To agree that such revenues be allocated for drug victims, for example, would mean that the treatment of drug victims would be financed, in part at least, by uncertain and variable revenue sources.

The current Department of Finance position is that it is a matter for Government, with Oireachtas approval, to determine the optimum allocation of Exchequer receipts in accordance with broadly agreed socio-economic priorities.

It should be noted also that there are difficulties with the concept of committing certain funds to community regeneration etc. when, in fact, Government support for such activities amounts to many multiples of, for example, the criminal assets frozen by the Criminal Assets Bureau.