Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps taken to deal with the issue of organised begging; if legislation is planned to allow the Garda deal with this growing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2247/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I intend to publish new legislation on begging in due course to take account of the High Court judgment in the Dillon case. The Court ruled that the current law, Section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847, was unconstitutional. The Deputy might note that, already, there are provisions in the Children Act 2001 directed at those who use children for begging. Section 247 of that Act provides that it is an offence to cause, procure or allow a child to beg.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when he will table the necessary legislation to allow for the Comptroller and Auditor General to become the auditor of the Office of the Wards of Court; when he expects legislation to be passed which will see the extension of the powers of the Ombudsman to the Office of the Wards of Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2255/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in the Government Legislative Programme, announced by the Chief Whip on 19 January, 2010, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is in the course of being drafted with a view to being published in this session. The provisions in the Bill for the establishment of a Court Funds Office will include amendment of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 to allow the Comptroller and Auditor General to continue to act as auditor of all court funds, including those of wards of court.

There are no proposals to extend the powers of the Ombudsman to the Office of the Wards of Court which functions under court authority. The Office is subject to the direction of the President of the High Court in the exercise of its functions.