Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 586: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the value of property currently under investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau; the number of such cases stalled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Criminal Assets Bureau, pursuant to its statutory remit, proactively targets the assets of persons suspected to derive directly or indirectly from criminal conduct. To help achieve this objective, the Bureau works closely with all other law enforcement agencies including Revenue Customs, other Garda National Units and the local Gardaí in each Garda Division.

Under the statutory remit of the Bureau there are over two hundred cases under active investigation, ranging from cases involving initial preliminary investigation to cases under full investigation and cases currently before the Courts. The assets subject to investigation include houses, lands, vehicles, jewellery and cash.

Up to the end of 2006 the Criminal Assets Bureau froze assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act to the value of €126m approximately. The Bureau also succeeded in collecting in excess of €108m under the provisions of relevant revenue legislation. In addition to this the Bureau has also collected in excess of €1.1m under its Social Welfare remit.