Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the programmatic changes that will be made in order to achieve the savings in his Department outlined in budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47897/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that despite the current difficult financial climate it has been possible to allocate funding, although at reduced levels in some cases, to most of the existing programmes in respect my Department's Vote. The Deputy will note from the estimates published recently that only two subheads; B.3 Commission for the Victims of the Northern Ireland Conflict and G.18 Graffiti Removal have not been allocated funding in 2010. The Victims Commission had completed its work and the Graffiti Removal activity was a demonstration/pilot project. This work would in the longer term, be for local authorities to champion and direct I have consistently sought to prioritise funding in relation to frontline law enforcement services, particularly those involved in the fight against serious crime. Consistent with this approach is the increased funding allocated to both the Forensic Science and State Pathology Laboratories in 2010. In line with previous years I will continue to ensure that all the Votes under the remit of my Department are managed on a group basis and ensure that resources are prioritised to meet the challenges facing the Justice Sector in 2010, wherever they arise.