Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the number of prosecutions resulting in fines being handed down following court proceedings during the year 2010; the proportion of the fines that remain unpaid; his plans to introduce a deduction at source scheme for those persons who refuse to pay fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36153/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions which includes the provision of information on the operation of the courts and I have no role in the matter.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that in 2010 there were 92,624 fines imposed with 68,032 paid. This left 24,592 or approximately 27% fines unpaid at the end of the year. In the same year a total of 63,620 defendants had fines imposed. It should be noted that some defendants may have received two or more fines. The Programme for Government 2011-2016 includes a commitment to recover unpaid fines by use of attachment orders and legislative proposals along those lines are being developed.