Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has identified areas in his Department in which he will cut spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/08]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if cutbacks are planned in the services provided for or funded through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32838/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 21 together.

The Deputies will be aware that the Government decided in July of this year that all Departments were required to yield up savings in their budgets to help address the very significant fall-off in State revenues. The amount to be saved by year-end in respect of the Justice Group of Votes i.e. Garda, Courts, Prisons, Property Registration Authority, as well as the Department itself is €8.7m. This saving, which amounts to 0.3% of the original budget for the year, will be realised through efficiencies and careful management of resources including the use of additional receipts primarily from the Courts Vote. In realising the savings in question, I am satisfied that the impact on services in the Justice sector, will be modest.