P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 265: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the improvements in the collection of the fines management system which have taken place since the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on value for money; the figures quoted by the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of on-the-spot fines, court proceedings and the percentage of fines collected and cases taken; the comparative figures for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40653/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed that in response to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report the Courts Service has implemented a number of key initiatives which address issues raised in it. These initiatives include the nationwide deployment of the Criminal Case Tracking System (CCTS) to all District Court offices in 2004. This System, which records the history of criminal cases from date of first court hearing to finalisation, facilitates the collection and production of improved management information in relation to the fines process. The Courts Accounting System (CAS), which processes fine receipts, was piloted in 2007, and by end of 2008 it will have been deployed in 28 District Court Offices including all major urban centres. The system will be fully deployed by mid 2009. It provides a facility for payment of fines on line which has proven to be very successful and is increasing compliance.

There have been significant benefits from these two strategic systems, including better management information on the collection of fines, more payment options, including the online payment facility, and more timely issue of fines notices and reminders.

In 2007 the Comptroller and Auditor General issued a follow up report on fines collection and found that the payment rate had increased from 55% to 66%. I am confident that the above initiatives, some of which were not in place at the time of the Comptroller and Auditor General's original report, will further contribute to an increase in the payment rate.

I am further informed that as part of the latest upgrade to the Garda Pulse system applications for summonses by the Gardaí will be electronically routed to CCTS, which will issue summonses and electronically notify the Gardaí through Pulse of the court date and the outcome in due course. This will result in savings to both organisations as well as enhancements to the accuracy of the Garda criminal records system.

The Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) now covers the most significant offences in terms of road safety. These include speeding, driving without insurance, non-wearing of safety belts, careless driving and using a mobile phone while driving. In April 2006, the system was integrated with the Pulse system, enabling the linking of offences so that applications for a single summons for a number of offences can be generated. FCPS has significantly enhanced management information and consequently the ability to monitor performance by reference to targets, timeliness and enforcement. Fixed charge notices are being issued in a timely fashion with a file of newly recorded incidents being sent electronically on a daily basis to an external service provider who prints and issues notices the same day. As a result of these developments, monitoring of the operation of FCPS has been much improved, thereby enabling An Garda Síochána to agree efficiency indicator targets including spoilage rates, the timeliness of the issue of notices and follow up to non-payment.

I am also informed that it is intended, following a call for expressions of interest, to outsource the collection of overdue court imposed fines with an option to extend this to fixed charge notices at a later date. A detailed Request for Tender will issue to the candidates shortlisted in the near future.

I intend to seek Government approval for a Fines Bill which will provide for the payment of fines by instalment and an improved means of assessing the capacity of a person to pay a fine. These proposals would result in an increased level of payment of fines.