Over €7.7m has been contributed to the court poor box over the past five years.
Last year alone, over €2m was collected.
The figures were revealed in response to a parliamentary question by Independent TD Mattie McGrath - who wants the poor box to be retained.
There are plans to abolish the system and replace it with a statutory Reparation Fund to make it more transparent.
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However, Deputy McGrath says there is no clear evidence of abuse and that charities would suffer if it was abolished.
- Digital Desk
