Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has met with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance with regard to reviewing the justice capital budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13860/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In common with all other Departments, the capital budget for the Justice Vote Group covering the period 2012 to 2016 was published last November.

There was considerable engagement at Departmental and Government level in relation to the budget prior to its publication. While, unfortunately, the fiscal environment within which we now operate allows very little latitude to increase the overall capital budget it is a matter which will be kept under review in the context of evolving priorities at Departmental and Government level. I will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as appropriate in relation to these matters.

In this context, I wish to inform the Deputy that arising from a recent Government decision, there has been an increase of €1 million in the Courts Service capital budget in 2012 which is reflected in the recent Revised Estimates Volume.

This additional funding is required to develop existing ICT systems to facilitate the implementation of measures arising from the Fines Act 2010, including the payment of fines by instalment.