Society of St Vincent de Paul the biggest beneficiary of courts poor box scheme in 2024

The charity, including its 46 branches around the country, got a total of €99,125.78 last year from the scheme.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul was the top earner from the courts poor box scheme last year, securing just under €100,000.

A total of €1.563 million was collected through the scheme in 2024 in courts across the country. The figures have just been published by the Courts Service, showing that payments made to the fund for the overall Society of St Vincent de Paul organisation as well as 46 branches around the country totaled €99,125.78.

The next highest beneficiary was the Little Blue Heroes organisation which attracted €81,000, followed by Merchants Quay which received €52,385.

The latest report on the poor box scheme comes as plans are underway to replace it with a reparation scheme. The current system is not guided by legislation and is used primarily at district court level. 

In lieu of a conviction, an accused person donates a sum of money to a charity decided by the judge. The amount depends on the offence. Typically, the offence would not merit a custodial sentence. 

In cases where the poor box system is used, the presiding judge usually applies the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 or imposes a suspended sentence.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

The plan to replace the current system was included in the general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. It also follows on from a recommendation made in 2005 by the Law Reform Commission.

In response to a recent parliamentary question, minister for justice Jim O’Callaghan said the abolition of the poor box system in favour of a reparation fund would “provide for a fair, equitable and transparent system of reparation, applicable only to minor offences and for the usage of that fund to provide services for the victims of crime”. 

He added: “A policy review of the Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014 has been conducted which recommends changes that reflect developments in Irish penal policy since 2014. I can advise the deputy that my department is currently considering the policy review and next steps.”