asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to introduce legislation to establish a system whereby a person convicted of a criminal offence could be ordered to compensate the victim of the crime.

44.

asked the Minister for Justice if he will initiate a scheme whereby compensation could be paid to the victim of sexual crimes by a convicted offender, part of which could be allocated to aid the running of the Rape Crisis Centres around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 44 together.

Legislation would be required to establish a formal system whereby a person convicted of a criminal offence could be ordered to pay compensation to a victim of his crime. For reasons which have been explained in this House on previous occasions, I could not undertake to indicate, by way of reply to parliamentary questions, what specific legislative proposals I might have in a particular area.