FG proposes new plans for collection of unpaid fines

Fine Gael says tens of thousands of euro are being wasted every year through the imprisonment of people who refuse to pay debts or fines.

According to Fine Gael figures, more than 2,000 people are jailed for refusing to pay dog licenses, TV licenses or debts to creditors each year, at a cost of €250 per person per night.

The party is proposing an alternative system whereby offenders will have the amounts owed taken from their pay packets and avoid jail.

Justice spokesperson Jim O'Keefe says the current regime is a very poor use of resources.

"Essentially, I think prison should be for convicted criminals, not for people who haven't paid their dog or television licences," he said.

"On the other hand, if people don't pay the fines that are imposed on them, we need a better system of collecting those fines. The proposal I'm putting forward will ensure that these fines, if they're not paid up. That they can be collected by instalments from wages or social welfare."